DictionaryAI

look

USLUUK/lʊk/

Verblooks, looking, looked

Noun plurallooks

Often confused with see and watch

18 meanings of look

Practice

  1. 1
    see on purposeverbintransitive
    To direct the eyes so as to see something, often with at; in the imperative, to call attention to something (look what you've done).

    Look at the size of that fish!

    He looked up from his book and smiled.

    UsageUsually look at before the thing seen: look at me. You look on purpose; you often see without trying.

    Similarglance, gaze, stare, peer

  2. 2
    appear to beverbintransitive
    To seem or appear, followed by an adjective (you look tired) or by like, as if, or to be.

    It looks like we're stuck here for the night.

    The new neighbors look as if they've lived here for years.

    UsageFollow it with an adjective: you look tired (not incorrect: look tiredly). Before a noun or clause use look like: it looks like rain.

    Similarseem, appear

  3. 3
    seek outverbintransitive
    To search or try to find, often with for.

    She looked for a way out and found none.

    Look for a job that suits you.

    UsageUse look for with the thing you want: look for my keys (not incorrect: look my keys). To find facts in a book, look them up.

    Similarsearch, hunt, seek

  4. 4
    verbintransitive
    To examine, study, or consider something carefully, usually with at.

    The report looks at how remote work has changed city centers.

    Before we sign, we need to look closely at the terms of the lease.

    UsageUse at or into: look at the terms, look into a complaint, meaning investigate it.

    Similarexamine, study, consider

  5. 5
    nouncountable
    Physical appearance; the visual impression a person or thing makes, often in the plural.

    Good looks run in that family.

    The whole street has a shabby look these days.

    UsageGood looks means an attractive appearance. I don't like the look of it can express worry or dislike about how something seems.

    Similarappearance, aspect, air, feel

  6. 6
    a quick viewnouncountable
    An act of directing one's gaze at something, or an attempt to see.

    One look at the sky told us to turn back.

    Can I have a quick look at your notes?

    UsageThe usual phrases are have a look (not incorrect: do a look) and take a look at something.

    Similarglance, peek, glimpse, gander, peep

  7. 7
    expectverbintransitive
    To expect or anticipate, often with to or at.

    We look to have the roof finished by spring.

    Investors were looking at a long wait.

    UsageBe looking at names a likely outcome: you're looking at a long wait. Look forward to takes -ing: look forward to seeing you.

    Similarexpect, anticipate, hope, face

    Note

    Expectation pictured as a gaze forward, and two frames carry different weights. Look to, followed by an infinitive or a time, is hopeful or purposeful: in Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part 1, Winchester says to Gloster, "And lookest to command the Prince and Realme." Be looking at, in the progressive, names a prospect someone faces. In one warning, the man is told that if he is caught again, he is looking at some upstate time.

    Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

    • Henry VI, Part 1 is a Shakespeare play. folger.edu
    • The speaker and addressee are correct, but the wording is 'Gloster, what ere we like, thou art Protector, / And lookest to command the Prince and Realme.' folger.edu
    • A man is warned that another arrest means he faces 'some upstate time'. en.wiktionary.org
  8. 8
    intendverbintransitive
    To have in mind to do something, as a plan, aim, or hope, typically in the progressive phrase 'be looking to'.

    The company is looking to hire twenty engineers by the end of the year.

    After last week's loss, the Giants will look to bounce back at home on Sunday.

    UsageBe looking to + verb: the company is looking to hire. Do not confuse it with look to someone for help.

    Similaraim, plan, hope, intend

  9. 9
    regard asverbintransitive
    To view a person or thing in a certain light, in constructions where on, upon, or at is followed by as or an adverb.

    Most voters look upon the new tax as unfair to small businesses.

    The committee looked favorably on her proposal.

    UsagePattern: look on someone as something. Related: look up to (admire) and look down on (think you are better than).

    Similarregard, view, see

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of look apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Old English lōcian, which goes back to Proto-West Germanic *lōkōn, became Middle English loken. Beyond that its history is unknown, and it has no certain relatives outside the Germanic languages. Within them it is related to Scots luke and Dutch loeken, and possibly to German lugen ("to peek").

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 5 facts