look

Formslooks, looking, looked

Plurallooks

1. 1
   see on purposeverbintransitive

   To turn your eyes toward something so that you can see it.

   The kids were looking out the window at the falling snow.

   Don't look down when you're walking across the high bridge.

   UsageSay look at something: look at me. You look on purpose, but you can see things without trying.

   Similarglance, gaze, stare, peer

2. 2
   appear to beverbintransitive

   To seem, as in 'You look tired' or 'It looks like rain'.

   The sky looks like it might clear up by this afternoon.

   You look like you need some sleep.

   UsageFollow it with a describing word: you look tired (not incorrect: look tiredly). Before a noun say look like: it looks like rain.

   Similarseem, appear

3. 3
   seek outverbintransitive

   To try to find something, often used with 'for'.

   I've been looking for my keys all morning.

   Look for the red door.

   UsageSay look for your keys (not incorrect: look your keys). Look up a word to find its meaning.

   Similarsearch, hunt, seek

4. 4
   verbintransitive

   To think about something carefully or study it, usually with at.

   Let's look at the problem again before we decide.

   The doctor looked at my test results and said everything was fine.

   UsageSay look at a problem or look into it.

   Similarexamine, study, consider

5. 5
   nouncountable

   How someone or something appears to other people.

   The actor is famous more for his good looks than his acting.

   I love the clean, simple look of your new kitchen.

   UsageUse good looks for an attractive appearance. I don't like the look of it can show worry or dislike.

   Similarappearance, aspect, air, feel

6. 6
   a quick viewnouncountable

   An act of turning your eyes to see something.

   She took a quick look in the mirror before leaving.

   Take a look at this photo.

   UsageSay take a look or have a look.

   Similarglance, peek, glimpse, gander, peep

7. 7
   expectverbintransitive

   To expect something to happen, often used with to or at.

   We look to get the test results back next week.

   Get caught again and you're looking at prison.

   UsageUse be looking at before a noun (looking at a long wait) and look to before a verb (look to finish soon).

   Similarexpect, anticipate, hope, face

   Note
8. 8
   intendverbintransitive

   To plan or hope to do something, usually said as "be looking to".

   We're looking to buy a bigger house next year.

   Both teams will look to win their first game of the season.

   UsageSay be looking to + verb: we're looking to move.

   Similaraim, plan, hope, intend

9. 9
   regard asverbintransitive

   To view someone or something in a certain way, used with on or at, then as or a word like kindly.

   I look on my best friend as a sister.

   Try to look at the move as a fresh start.

   UsageSay look on him as a friend. Look up to means admire.

   Similarregard, view, see

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