1look 
/ˈlʊk/ verb
looks; looked; look·ing /ˈlʊk/ verb 1 always followed by an adverb or preposition [no obj] : to direct your eyes in a particular direction
▪ 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. ▪ Look in the mirror/box. ▪ They looked off into the distance. ▪ He was looking over his shoulder. — often + at ▪ She looked longingly at the photograph. ▪ “What are you looking at?” “I'm looking at this flower.” ▪ looking at the stars through a telescope = looking through a telescope at the stars — see also look around (below), look at (below), look over your shoulder at 1shoulder 2 a [linking verb] : to seem to be something especially because of appearance
▪ He looks angry. ▪ Her new haircut makes her look young/younger. ▪ That cake looks delicious. ▪ “How does the situation look (to you) now?” “It looks pretty bad/good.” ▪ It looks dangerous/unlikely. ▪ a kind-looking woman = a woman who looks kind ▪ The child looked to be about seven years old. ▪ The once-famous star looks to be heading into obscurity. ▪ The year ahead looks to be a profitable one. [=it appears likely to be profitable; I/we expect it to be profitable] — often used in the phrases look as if, look as though, and look like ▪ It looks like it will be hard work. ▪ It looks like it will rain/snow. = It looks like rain/snow. ▪ It looks to me like they're all the same. = It looks like they're all the same to me. = They look like they're all the same to me. ▪ It looked as though he was feeling ill. = He looked as though he was feeling ill. ▪ It looks like she's going to win the tournament again this year. = She looks like she's going to win the tournament again this year. = (Brit) She looks like winning the tournament again this year. [=she seems likely to win the tournament again this year] ▪ He looks like a nice man. = (Brit) He looks a nice man. [=he seems/appears to be a nice man] — see also look like (below)
b [+ obj] : to have an appearance that is suitable for (something)
▪ She looks her age. [=her appearance shows her age] ▪ an actor who really looks the part [=whose appearance matches the appearance the character is supposed to have] 3 [no obj] : to try to find something or someone
▪ “I don't know where my keys are.” “Try looking in the drawer.” ▪ I've looked high and low. = I've looked everywhere. = I've looked all over. ▪ “I still haven't found my keys.” “Well, keep looking.” ▪ “I'm still trying to find my keys.” “Well, look no further—here they are.” — see also look for (below) 4 [no obj] : to pay attention by directing your eyes at something
▪ You can see many wonderful things in nature if you take the time to stop and look. ▪ The store clerk asked if I needed any help, but I told him I was just looking. [=I was looking at the things being sold in the store but did not plan to buy anything specific] 5 [no obj] a — used to direct someone's attention to something or someone ▪ Look! Over there! Is that a hawk? ▪ Look! There he is! — often + at ▪ Look at those mountains. Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? ▪ Just look at the time! I had no idea it was that late! — often used in phrases like look where, look what, etc. ▪ Look what I found. ▪ Look who's here. ▪ Look how easy it is to do this.
b — used in phrases like look where, look what, etc., to warn someone or to express anger or disappointment ▪ Look where you're going. You almost walked into that pole. ▪ Look what you did! You broke it. ▪ Now look what you've done. It's broken.
c — used to introduce a statement when you want someone to notice what you are saying ▪ Look, this just isn't going to work. ▪ Look here, you need to start behaving more responsibly. 6 [+ obj] a : to want or try to do something — followed by to + verb ▪ a company looking to become a leader in the industry ▪ We're looking to create something new.
b : to expect something — followed by to + verb ▪ We look to have a good year. = We are looking to have a good year. 7 [no obj] : to have a specified direction : to point or face in a specified direction
▪ The house looks east. ▪ The hotel looks toward the sea.
▪ 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. ▪ Look in the mirror/box. ▪ They looked off into the distance. ▪ He was looking over his shoulder. — often + at ▪ She looked longingly at the photograph. ▪ “What are you looking at?” “I'm looking at this flower.” ▪ looking at the stars through a telescope = looking through a telescope at the stars — see also look around (below), look at (below), look over your shoulder at 1shoulder
▪ He looks angry. ▪ Her new haircut makes her look young/younger. ▪ That cake looks delicious. ▪ “How does the situation look (to you) now?” “It looks pretty bad/good.” ▪ It looks dangerous/unlikely. ▪ a kind-looking woman = a woman who looks kind ▪ The child looked to be about seven years old. ▪ The once-famous star looks to be heading into obscurity. ▪ The year ahead looks to be a profitable one. [=it appears likely to be profitable; I/we expect it to be profitable] — often used in the phrases look as if, look as though, and look like ▪ It looks like it will be hard work. ▪ It looks like it will rain/snow. = It looks like rain/snow. ▪ It looks to me like they're all the same. = It looks like they're all the same to me. = They look like they're all the same to me. ▪ It looked as though he was feeling ill. = He looked as though he was feeling ill. ▪ It looks like she's going to win the tournament again this year. = She looks like she's going to win the tournament again this year. = (Brit) She looks like winning the tournament again this year. [=she seems likely to win the tournament again this year] ▪ He looks like a nice man. = (Brit) He looks a nice man. [=he seems/appears to be a nice man] — see also look like (below)
b [+ obj] : to have an appearance that is suitable for (something)
▪ She looks her age. [=her appearance shows her age] ▪ an actor who really looks the part [=whose appearance matches the appearance the character is supposed to have]
▪ “I don't know where my keys are.” “Try looking in the drawer.” ▪ I've looked high and low. = I've looked everywhere. = I've looked all over. ▪ “I still haven't found my keys.” “Well, keep looking.” ▪ “I'm still trying to find my keys.” “Well, look no further—here they are.” — see also look for (below)
▪ You can see many wonderful things in nature if you take the time to stop and look. ▪ The store clerk asked if I needed any help, but I told him I was just looking. [=I was looking at the things being sold in the store but did not plan to buy anything specific]
b — used in phrases like look where, look what, etc., to warn someone or to express anger or disappointment ▪ Look where you're going. You almost walked into that pole. ▪ Look what you did! You broke it. ▪ Now look what you've done. It's broken.
c — used to introduce a statement when you want someone to notice what you are saying ▪ Look, this just isn't going to work. ▪ Look here, you need to start behaving more responsibly.
b : to expect something — followed by to + verb ▪ We look to have a good year. = We are looking to have a good year.
▪ The house looks east. ▪ The hotel looks toward the sea.
don't look now
— used in speech before a statement to tell someone to be aware of something without looking ▪ Don't look now, but they're coming our way. ▪ Don't look now, but I think we're being followed.
look after [phrasal verb]
look after (someone or something) : to take care of (someone or something)
▪ They hired a babysitter to look after the children. ▪ I can look after myself. ▪ He looks after his aging parents. ▪ They asked a friend to look after their house while they were away.
▪ They hired a babysitter to look after the children. ▪ I can look after myself. ▪ He looks after his aging parents. ▪ They asked a friend to look after their house while they were away.
look a gift horse in the mouth — see 1horse
look ahead [phrasal verb]
: to think about what will happen in the future
▪ The past year has been successful and, looking ahead, we expect to do even better in the coming months. — often + to ▪ Looking ahead to next year, we expect to be even more successful.
▪ The past year has been successful and, looking ahead, we expect to do even better in the coming months. — often + to ▪ Looking ahead to next year, we expect to be even more successful.
look around or Brit look round [phrasal verb] 1 look around/round or look around/round (a place) : to go through a place in order to see what is there : to explore a place
▪ We arrived early at the theater and spent a few minutes looking around. ▪ The kids looked around the shops while we unpacked. 2 look around/round for (something) : to search for (something)
▪ I looked around for my keys but I couldn't find them anywhere. ▪ He is looking around for a new car. — see also 1look 1 (above)
▪ We arrived early at the theater and spent a few minutes looking around. ▪ The kids looked around the shops while we unpacked.
▪ I looked around for my keys but I couldn't find them anywhere. ▪ He is looking around for a new car. — see also 1look 1 (above)
look at [phrasal verb] 1 look at (someone or something) a : to think about or consider (something or someone)
▪ Just look at how successful she's been. ▪ The company is looking at the possibility of moving to a larger office. ▪ I just haven't looked at him as (being) a potential roommate. ▪ The way I look at [=see] it, you're wrong. ▪ Some people are looking at her as a possible candidate for mayor. ▪ You can make changes in your life. Just look at Tim. [=consider that Tim has made changes to realize that you can also make changes]
b : to examine or study (someone or something)
▪ You should have a doctor look at that bruise. ▪ I had the veterinarian look at my cat. 2 look at (something) a : to have (something bad or unpleasant) as a problem or possibility
▪ If you're found guilty, you could be looking at [=facing] five years in prison.
b : to read (something or part of something)
▪ I haven't looked at [=read] the newspaper today. ▪ Did you look at that fax yet? — see also 1look 1, 5a (above)
▪ Just look at how successful she's been. ▪ The company is looking at the possibility of moving to a larger office. ▪ I just haven't looked at him as (being) a potential roommate. ▪ The way I look at [=see] it, you're wrong. ▪ Some people are looking at her as a possible candidate for mayor. ▪ You can make changes in your life. Just look at Tim. [=consider that Tim has made changes to realize that you can also make changes]
b : to examine or study (someone or something)
▪ You should have a doctor look at that bruise. ▪ I had the veterinarian look at my cat.
▪ If you're found guilty, you could be looking at [=facing] five years in prison.
b : to read (something or part of something)
▪ I haven't looked at [=read] the newspaper today. ▪ Did you look at that fax yet? — see also 1look 1, 5a (above)
look back [phrasal verb]
: to think about something in the past
▪ Looking back to/at last season, I can see why they didn't win the pennant. ▪ I look back at/on that time with a lot of pride. [=I feel proud when I think about that time] ◊If you make an important change in your life and never look back, you never return to the way you had been before, and your life is very different from that time onward.
▪ After college, she moved to New York, got a job on Wall Street, and never looked back.
▪ Looking back to/at last season, I can see why they didn't win the pennant. ▪ I look back at/on that time with a lot of pride. [=I feel proud when I think about that time] ◊If you make an important change in your life and never look back, you never return to the way you had been before, and your life is very different from that time onward.
▪ After college, she moved to New York, got a job on Wall Street, and never looked back.
look before you leap
: to think or learn about the possible bad results of an action before doing it
▪ If you're planning to invest in your friend's company, I advise you to look before you leap.
▪ If you're planning to invest in your friend's company, I advise you to look before you leap.
look daggers at — see dagger
look down on [phrasal verb]
look down on (someone or something) : to think of or treat (someone or something) as unimportant or not worthy of respect
▪ The family was looked down on for being different. ▪ The other children looked down on me because my parents were poor.
▪ The family was looked down on for being different. ▪ The other children looked down on me because my parents were poor.
look down your nose at
: to think of or treat (someone or something) as unimportant or not worthy of respect
▪ She looked down her nose at her neighbors. ▪ writers who look down their noses at popular culture
▪ She looked down her nose at her neighbors. ▪ writers who look down their noses at popular culture
look for [phrasal verb]
look for (something or someone) 1 : to try to find (someone or something) : to search for (someone or something)
▪ We had to wait while he looked for his keys. ▪ I've looked everywhere for my keys but I still can't find them. ▪ She's looking for a new job. ▪ look for a word in the dictionary ▪ The police continue to look for the escaped prisoners. ▪ His taste is—what's the word I'm looking for?—I know, “eclectic.” — see also 1look 3 (above) 2 : to expect (something or someone)
▪ We're looking for better days in the future. ▪ Don't bother looking for me anytime too soon. — often followed by to + verb ▪ You can look for me to arrive around noon. ▪ Economists are looking for the economy to improve in the next few months. 3 look for trouble informal : to act in a way that could cause violence or problems
▪ I could tell that he was looking for trouble as soon as he came in.
▪ We had to wait while he looked for his keys. ▪ I've looked everywhere for my keys but I still can't find them. ▪ She's looking for a new job. ▪ look for a word in the dictionary ▪ The police continue to look for the escaped prisoners. ▪ His taste is—what's the word I'm looking for?—I know, “eclectic.” — see also 1look 3 (above)
▪ We're looking for better days in the future. ▪ Don't bother looking for me anytime too soon. — often followed by to + verb ▪ You can look for me to arrive around noon. ▪ Economists are looking for the economy to improve in the next few months.
▪ I could tell that he was looking for trouble as soon as he came in.
look forward to [phrasal verb]
look forward to (something) : to expect (something) with pleasure
▪ They're looking forward to their vacation. ▪ He felt he had nothing to look forward to in his life. ▪ She's looking forward to meeting new friends.
▪ They're looking forward to their vacation. ▪ He felt he had nothing to look forward to in his life. ▪ She's looking forward to meeting new friends.
look in on [phrasal verb]
look in on (someone) : to make a brief social visit to (someone)
▪ I plan to look in on [=drop in on, call on] some old friends when I'm in town.
▪ I plan to look in on [=drop in on, call on] some old friends when I'm in town.
look into [phrasal verb]
look into (something) : to try to get information about (something)
▪ Is there a problem? I could look into it. ▪ Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.
▪ Is there a problem? I could look into it. ▪ Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.
look like
: to have an appearance that is very similar to (someone or something) : to resemble (someone or something)
▪ You look just like your mother! [=you resemble your mother very closely] ▪ That powdered sugar looks like snow. — see also 1look 2a (above)
▪ You look just like your mother! [=you resemble your mother very closely] ▪ That powdered sugar looks like snow. — see also 1look 2a (above)
look like a million dollars/bucks — see million
look lively — see lively
look on/upon [phrasal verb] 1 look on : to watch something as it happens without becoming involved
▪ A crowd of people looked on [=stood by] helplessly as the house burned to the ground. 2 look on/upon (someone or something) : to think of or consider (someone or something) in a specified way — + as or with ▪ I've always looked on her as a friend. [=considered her to be a friend] ▪ They looked on reading as an escape from the troubles of life. ▪ He looked upon his son's accomplishments with pride.
▪ A crowd of people looked on [=stood by] helplessly as the house burned to the ground.
look out [phrasal verb] 1 — used to tell someone to be aware of something dangerous ▪ Look out [=watch out]—one of the steps is missing! 2 look (something) out or look out (something) Brit : to succeed in finding (something)
▪ It may take me a while to look out [=hunt down] his phone number for you.
▪ It may take me a while to look out [=hunt down] his phone number for you.
look out for [phrasal verb] 1 look out for (something) : to be aware of and try to avoid (something dangerous or unwanted)
▪ In the winter, drivers need to look out for icy patches on the roads. ▪ In buying a home, there are many potential problems (that) you should look out for. ▪ Look out for [=watch out for] that pothole! 2 look out for (someone or something) : to take care of or protect (someone or something)
▪ I can look out for myself. ▪ She is supposed to be looking out for our interests. ◊If you look out for number one, you only think about yourself and do what helps you most.
▪ We don't want a senator who's (only/always) looking out for number one.
▪ In the winter, drivers need to look out for icy patches on the roads. ▪ In buying a home, there are many potential problems (that) you should look out for. ▪ Look out for [=watch out for] that pothole!
▪ I can look out for myself. ▪ She is supposed to be looking out for our interests. ◊If you look out for number one, you only think about yourself and do what helps you most.
▪ We don't want a senator who's (only/always) looking out for number one.
look over [phrasal verb]
look (something) over or look over (something) : to read or examine (something) usually in a quick or hurried way
▪ She looked over the plans on her way out of the office. ▪ He looked over his shopping list as he entered the store. ▪ look a proposal over
▪ She looked over the plans on her way out of the office. ▪ He looked over his shopping list as he entered the store. ▪ look a proposal over
look sharp — see 2sharp
look (someone) in the eye also look (someone) in the face
: to look directly at (someone who is also looking at you)
▪ I wasn't afraid to look him (right) in the eye and tell him just what I thought of him!
▪ I wasn't afraid to look him (right) in the eye and tell him just what I thought of him!
look the other way
: to ignore something that should be noticed or dealt with : to turn your attention away from something
▪ We can't just look the other way while these violations of basic human rights continue to occur. ▪ Residents of the neighborhood accuse police of looking the other way as drug dealers become more active there.
▪ We can't just look the other way while these violations of basic human rights continue to occur. ▪ Residents of the neighborhood accuse police of looking the other way as drug dealers become more active there.
look through [phrasal verb] 1 look through (something) a : to read or briefly examine some of the pages of (a book, magazine, etc.)
▪ She was looking [=leafing] through a magazine as she waited in the doctor's office. ▪ look through the pages of a magazine
b : to look at the different parts of (a collection or group of things)
▪ I looked through [=went through] all his letters. 2 look through (someone) : to pretend not to see or recognize (someone) in a rude or unfriendly way
▪ We used to be best friends but when she passed me on the street yesterday she looked (right/straight) through me without even saying hello!
▪ She was looking [=leafing] through a magazine as she waited in the doctor's office. ▪ look through the pages of a magazine
b : to look at the different parts of (a collection or group of things)
▪ I looked through [=went through] all his letters.
▪ We used to be best friends but when she passed me on the street yesterday she looked (right/straight) through me without even saying hello!
look to [phrasal verb] 1 look to (something) : to think about or examine (something) : to direct your attention to (something)
▪ They look to the future with ever-increasing hope. — usually + for ▪ We can look to the past for help in figuring out how to deal with this problem. ▪ look to nature for inspiration 2 look to (someone) : to need (someone) to do something for or give something to you : to depend or rely on (someone)
▪ They look to me to fix the problem. ▪ Many parents look to their children to help them navigate the Internet. — often + for ▪ Many parents look to their children for help in navigating the Internet. ▪ She looked to her friends for help. ▪ They look to you for advice.
▪ They look to the future with ever-increasing hope. — usually + for ▪ We can look to the past for help in figuring out how to deal with this problem. ▪ look to nature for inspiration
▪ They look to me to fix the problem. ▪ Many parents look to their children to help them navigate the Internet. — often + for ▪ Many parents look to their children for help in navigating the Internet. ▪ She looked to her friends for help. ▪ They look to you for advice.
look up [phrasal verb] 1 : to get better : improve
▪ The economy is looking up. ▪ Things started to look up for me when I got the promotion. 2 look (something) up or look up (something) : to search for (something) in a reference book, on the Internet, etc.
▪ If you don't know what a word means, you should look it up (in the dictionary). ▪ look up a telephone number ▪ look up an article in the encyclopedia 3 look (someone) up or look up (someone) : to call or go to see (someone) when you are in the area where that person lives
▪ I told them to look me up if they came to town.
▪ The economy is looking up. ▪ Things started to look up for me when I got the promotion.
▪ If you don't know what a word means, you should look it up (in the dictionary). ▪ look up a telephone number ▪ look up an article in the encyclopedia
▪ I told them to look me up if they came to town.
look up to [phrasal verb]
look up to (someone) : to respect and admire (someone)
▪ I've always looked up to my older brother. ▪ The kids really look up to their coach.
▪ I've always looked up to my older brother. ▪ The kids really look up to their coach.
Look what the cat dragged in! — see cat
look your best — see 3best
not much to look at
informal : not physically attractive
▪ The restaurant isn't much to look at, but the food is good. ▪ The dog isn't much to look at, but he's a great hunting dog.
▪ The restaurant isn't much to look at, but the food is good. ▪ The dog isn't much to look at, but he's a great hunting dog.
