look

Pronunciation: /lʊk/

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Definition of look

verb

1 [no object, usually with adverbial of direction] direct one’s gaze in a specified direction:people were looking at him they looked up as he came into the room
(look through) ignore (someone) by pretending not to see them:he glanced up once but looked right through me
[with object] dated express (something) by one’s gaze:Poirot looked a question
[with object] (look something over) inspect something with a view to establishing its merits:they looked over a property in Great Marlborough Street
(look through) peruse (a book or other written material): we looked through all the books and this was still the one we liked best
(look round/around) walk round (a place or building) in order to view any interesting features:he spent the day looking round Edinburgh
[with clause] ascertain with a quick glance:people finishing work don’t look where they’re going

2 (look at/on) regard in a specified way:I look at tennis differently from some coaches
(look at) examine (a matter) and consider what action to take:a committee is looking at the financing of the BBC
(look into) investigate:the police looked into his business dealings
(usually look for) attempt to find:Howard has been looking for you

3 [with complement or adverbial] have the appearance or give the impression of being:mum looked unhappy the home looked like a prison (as adjective, in combination -looking)a funny-looking bloke
(look like) informal show a likelihood of: [with present participle]:Leeds didn’t look like scoring from any of their corners [with clause]:it doesn’t look like you’ll be moving to Liverpool
(look oneself) appear one’s normal, healthy self:he just didn’t look himself at all

4 (look to) rely on (someone) to do or provide something:she will look to you for help
[with infinitive] hope or expect to do something:universities are looking to expand their intakes
[with clause] archaic take care; make sure:Look ye obey the masters of the craft

5(of a building or room) have an outlook in a specified direction:the room looks out over Mylor Harbour

noun

1an act of directing one’s gaze in order to see someone or something:let me get a closer look
an expression of a feeling or thought by looking:the orderly gave me a funny look
a scrutiny or examination:the government should take a look at the amount of grant the council receives

2the appearance of someone or something, especially as expressing a particular quality:the bedraggled look of the village
(looks) a person’s facial appearance considered aesthetically:he had charm, good looks, and an amusing insouciance
a style or fashion:Italian designers unveiled their latest look

exclamation

(also look here!) used to call attention to what one is going to say:‘Look, this is ridiculous.’

Phrases

look one's age: appear to be as old as one really is: she knew she didn’t look her age
look before you leap: proverb you shouldn’t act without first considering the possible consequences or dangers.
look daggers at: see dagger.
look down one's nose at: another way of saying .
look for trouble: see trouble.
look someone in the eye (or face): look directly at someone without showing embarrassment, fear, or shame: I felt confident enough to look him straight in the eye
look lively (or dated alive): [usually in imperative] informal move more quickly and energetically:‘Look lively, lads, keep in step,’ Charlie shouted
look the other way: deliberately ignore wrongdoing by others:the authorities simply seem content to look the other way
look sharp: be quick: well, look sharp then, or else you’ll keep Jos waiting
look small: see small.
look to the future: consider and plan for what is in the future, rather than worrying about the past or present: the making of forecasts forces managers to think ahead, to look to the future
look someone up and down: scrutinize someone carefully: Fen looked her up and down consideringly before answering

Phrasal Verbs

look after: take care of:women who stay at home to look after children
look back: [with negative] suffer a setback or interrupted progress:she launched her own company in 1981 and has never looked back
look back at/on: think of (past events): don’t waste time looking back on things which have caused you distress
look down on: regard (someone) with a feeling of superiority: my mother had social pretensions and looked down on most of our neighbours
look forward to: await eagerly:we look forward to seeing you
look in: make a short visit or call:I will look in on you tomorrow
look on: watch without getting involved: Cameron was looking on and making no move to help
look out: [usually in imperative] be vigilant and take notice:‘Look out!’ warned Billie, seeing a movement from the room beyond
look something out: British search for and produce something:I’ve got a catalogue somewhere and I’ll look it out if you’re interested
look up: (of a situation) improve:things seemed to be looking up at last
look someone up: informal make social contact with someone: he would look her up when he was in the area
look something up: search for and find a piece of information in a book or database: the translation process amounted to little more than looking up words in bilingual dictionaries
look up to: have a great deal of respect for (someone): he needed a model, someone to look up to

Origin:

Old English lōcian (verb), of West Germanic origin; related to German dialect lugen

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Other

verb

noun

exclamation

Phrases

look one's age

look before you leap

look daggers at

look down one's nose at

look for trouble

look someone in the eye (or face)

look lively (or dated alive)

look the other way

look sharp

look small

look to the future

look someone up and down

Phrasal Verbs

look after

look back

look back at/on

look down on

look forward to

look in

look on

look out

look something out

look up

look someone up

look something up

look up to

Origin:

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