look

1 of 2

verb

ˈlu̇k 

looked; looking; looks

transitive verb

1

: to make sure or take care (that something is done)

censor to look that no man lived idly

—Edward Gee

2

: to ascertain by the use of one's eyes

look what I brought you

3

a

: to exercise the power of vision upon : examine

b

archaic : to search for

4

a

: expect, anticipate

we look to have a good year

b

: to have in mind as an end

looking to win back some lost profits

5

archaic : to bring into a place or condition by the exercise of the power of vision

6

: to express by the eyes or facial expression

the friar looked his surprise

—Robert Brennan

7

: to have an appearance that befits or accords with

looks her age

intransitive verb

1

a

: to exercise the power of vision : see

b

: to direct one's attention

look upon the future with hope

look at the map

c

: to direct the eyes

looked up from the newspaper

2

: to have the appearance or likelihood of being : seem

it looks unlikely

looks to be hard work

3

: to have a specified outlook

the house looked east

4

: to gaze in wonder or surprise : stare

5

: to show a tendency

the evidence looks to acquittal

look

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: the act of looking

b

: glance

2

a

: the expression of the countenance

b

: physical appearance

especially : attractive physical appearance

—usually used in plural

c

: a combination of design features giving a unified appearance

a new look in women's fashions

3

: the state or form in which something appears

Phrases

look after

: to take care of

looked after her sick mother

look at

1

: consider sense 1

looking at the possibility of relocating

2

: confront, face

looking at a mandatory fine

—Cindy Kilass

look down one's nose

: to view something with arrogance, disdain, or disapproval

writers who look down their noses at popular culture

look for

1

: to await with hope or anticipation

You can look for me to arrive at noon.

2

: to search for : seek

looking for a new car

look forward

: to anticipate with pleasure or satisfaction

looking forward to your visit

look into

: explore sense 1a

Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.

look the other way

: to direct one's attention away from something unpleasant or troublesome

We can't just look the other way while these violations of human rights continue to occur.

look to

1

: to direct one's attention to

looking to the future

2

: to rely upon

looks to reading for relaxation

Synonyms

Verb

• act
• appear
• come across (as)
• come off (as)
• feel
• make
• seem
• sound

Noun

• cast
• countenance
• expression
• face
• visage

Choose the Right Synonym for look

expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome.

expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled

looks to a tidy profit from the sale

; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

Examples of look in a Sentence

Verb

He looked straight ahead and kept walking.

When you take a walk, look around you.

She smiled at me and then looked away.

He looked back the way he had come.

Look both ways before you cross the street.

When I finally reached the top I was afraid to look down.

She looked from one person to the next.

They looked off into the distance.

He was looking over his shoulder.

Her new haircut makes her look young.

Noun

I don't think you left it here, but I'll take a look around for it.

I took a quick look, but he wasn't there.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Trump’s policies, Seif said, could end up adding fuel to the fire — and force the Fed to act in a way Trump would not look favorably upon. —Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024

Fans of opening day are looking for that oomph to carry you through a long season of ups and downs. —Frederick Dreier and Adam Roy, Outside Online, 11 Nov. 2024

Noun

Bailey herself is a shape-shifter of sorts, right on the border between child and teenager in age and, with her androgynous looks, occupying an ambiguous place between genders as well. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024

From its looks, the details surrounding the musician’s past haven’t been overlooked, either. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English lōcian; akin to Old Saxon lōcōn to look

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Noun

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing look

• dart a glance/look at
• distant look in someone's eye
• don't look now
• feel/look like something the cat brought/dragged/drug in
• from the look of things
• get a good look at
• give (something) a second look
• have a look
• long look
• look a fright
• look a gift horse in the mouth
• look ahead
• look-alike
• look around
• look askance at
• look back
• look before one leaps
• look daggers
• look down
• look down on
• look down one's nose at
• look/feel like a million dollars/bucks
• look for trouble
• look-in
• look in on
• look kindly on/upon
• look like
• look lively
• look on
• look one's best
• look on the bright side
• look out
• look out for number one
• look over
• look over one's shoulder
• look round
• look-see
• look sharp
• look/shoot/stare daggers at
• look snappy
• look (someone) in the eye
• look (someone) in the face
• look the part
• look through
• look to one's laurels
• look unkindly on/upon
• look up
• look up to
• look what the cat dragged in
• look with favor on
• not like the look of
• not look a day over
• not much to look at
• steal a peek/look
• take one look at

Kids Definition

look

1 of 2 verb

ˈlu̇k 

1

: to exercise the power of vision : see

2

: to express by the eyes or by an expression of the face

3

a

: to have an appearance that is suitable for

looks her age

b

: seem sense 1

it looks dangerous

4

: to direct one's attention or eyes

look in the mirror

5

: point entry 2 sense 4, face

the house looks east

look

2 of 2 noun

1

a

: the act of looking

b

: glance entry 2 sense 3

2

a

: the expression of the face

b

: physical appearance

especially : attractive physical appearance

—usually used in plural

3

: the state or form in which something appears : aspect