# look

Pronunciation: US say "LUUK" /lʊk/; UK

## Verb

1. 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).
   - Simple: To turn your eyes toward something so that you can see it.
   - _Look at the size of that fish!_
   - _He looked up from his book and smiled._
2. To seem or appear, followed by an adjective (you look tired) or by like, as if, or to be.
   - Simple: To seem, as in 'You look tired' or 'It looks like rain'.
   - _It looks like we're stuck here for the night._
   - _The new neighbors look as if they've lived here for years._
3. To search or try to find, often with for.
   - Simple: To try to find something, often used with 'for'.
   - _She looked for a way out and found none._
   - _Look for a job that suits you._
4. To examine, study, or consider something carefully, usually with at.
   - Simple: To think about something carefully or study it, 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._
7. To expect or anticipate, often with to or at.
   - Simple: To expect something to happen, often used with to or at.
   - _We look to have the roof finished by spring._
   - _Investors were looking at a long wait._
8. To have in mind to do something, as a plan, aim, or hope, typically in the progressive phrase 'be looking to'.
   - Simple: To plan or hope to do something, usually said as "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._
9. To view a person or thing in a certain light, in constructions where on, upon, or at is followed by as or an adverb.
   - Simple: To view someone or something in a certain way, used with on or at, then as or a word like kindly.
   - _Most voters look upon the new tax as unfair to small businesses._
   - _The committee looked favorably on her proposal._
12. Of a building, window, or place, to face or present a view.
   - Simple: To face a certain way, used about a building, window or place.
   - _Both windows look onto the garden._
   - _The terrace looks toward the mountains._
13. To express or show something with one's eyes or expression.
   - Simple: To show a feeling with your eyes.
   - _He looked his contempt and said nothing._
   - _Bring up her ex at dinner and she'll look daggers at you across the table._
15. With after: to care for a person or thing, or to be in charge of keeping them safe and in good shape.
   - Simple: To care for someone or something and keep them safe and well, used with "after".
   - _Nurses on the night shift look after dozens of patients at once._
   - _He has always looked after his car, so it still runs like new._
16. With to: to seek help, advice, guidance, or support from a particular person or source.
   - Simple: To go to someone or something for help, advice, or support, used with "to".
   - _In a crisis, people look to their leaders for reassurance._
   - _The young startup looked to a group of retired executives for guidance._

## Noun

5. Physical appearance; the visual impression a person or thing makes, often in the plural.
   - Simple: How someone or something appears to other people.
   - _Good looks run in that family._
   - _The whole street has a shabby look these days._
6. An act of directing one's gaze at something, or an attempt to see.
   - Simple: An act of turning your eyes to see something.
   - _One look at the sky told us to turn back._
   - _Can I have a quick look at your notes?_
10. A facial expression, especially one directed at someone.
   - Simple: An expression on your face, often aimed at someone.
   - _She shot him a warning look._
   - _The look on his face said everything._

## Interjection

11. Used to make someone pay attention.
   - Simple: Said to get someone to listen or pay attention.
   - _Look, we need to talk about the money._
   - _Look, it's simple: we leave now or we miss it._

## Verb

14. To overawe, sway, or subdue someone through one's gaze or bearing. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To control or frighten someone with your eyes or presence.

## Other meanings

- (verb) To make sure of something or see to it, often with to or a that-clause.
- (verb) In baseball, of a batter, to watch a pitch go by without swinging.

## 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").

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/look (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).