verb | noun
looklook1 /lʊk/ ●●● S1 W1 verb 1
SEE [intransitive] to deliberately turn your eyes so that you can see something: He took a cookie when she wasn’t looking.look at She turned to look at me. “I have to go,” he said, looking at his watch.look through/toward/across etc. The teacher stopped and looked around to see if there were any questions.look away/up/down etc. She smiled sadly then looked away.► see thesaurus at see1THESAURUStake a look informal – to look at something carefully, for example because it is interesting or needs to be fixed: Let’s take a look at your paper, and see if we can edit it so it’s shorter.stare – to look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes away: The little boy stood alone, staring at the lion in its cage at the zoo.gaze – to look at someone or something for a long time, giving all your attention to the person or thing you are looking at: I lay back on the sand and gazed at the stars above.glance – to look at someone or something for a short time and then look quickly away: I saw the two girls glance at each other as if they shared a secret.peek – to look quickly at someone or something, especially in a secret or shy way: The door was open so he peeked inside.squint – to look at someone or something with your eyes partly closed, usually in order to see better or because there is too much light: The crowd came out of the movie theater squinting in the sunlight.peer – to look very carefully, especially because it is dark or you cannot see well: He peered into the dark yard to see what was making the noise.gape – to look at someone or something for a long time, usually with your mouth open, because you are very shocked or surprised: She stood there gaping at me, too shocked to speak.view formal – to look at something because it is beautiful or interesting: Thousands of tourists come to view the gardens every year.regard – to look at someone or something in a way that shows you are thinking about him, her, or it: She regarded him with a serious expression.2SEARCH [intransitive] to try to find someone or something that is hidden or lost, using your eyes: I’ve looked everywhere, but I can’t find my gloves. Did you look under the bed?look for Could you help me look for my notebook?3SEEM [linking verb] to seem to be something, especially by having a particular appearance: You look tired. Do these jeans make me look fat?look like I don’t look much like my sister. This car looks as if it is about to fall apart. With all the commotion it looked as if the circus had come to town.► see thesaurus at seem4look over your shoulder to be nervous or worried that something bad is going to happen to you: Since half of the staff was laid off, we’re all looking over our shoulders.5be looking to do something informal to be planning or expecting to do something: We’re not just looking to make money.6look before you leap used to say that it is wise to think about possible dangers or difficulties before doing something7look the other way a)to deliberately ignore a problem or something bad that someone else is doing: Politicians have looked the other way while children go hungry. b)to turn your head and look in the opposite direction, especially to avoid looking at someone or something8look no further used for telling someone that something is available that is exactly what he or she has been trying to find: If you’re looking for a good family car, look no further.SPOKEN PHRASES9look a)used to tell someone to look at something that you think is interesting, surprising, etc.: Look! There’s a bluejay!look at Look at me, Mommy!look what/how/where etc. Look how tall he’s gotten! b)said to get someone’s attention so that you can tell him or her something, or to emphasize what you are saying when you are annoyed: Look, I’m very serious about this.10(I’m/We’re) just looking used when you are in a store, to say that you are only looking at things, and do not intend to buy anything now: “Do you need help with anything?” “No thanks. We’re just looking.”11it looks like... used to say that it is likely that someone will do something or something will happen: If this rain keeps up, it looks like we’ll have to cancel the picnic.12look somebody in the eye/face to look directly at someone when you are speaking, especially to show that you are not afraid or that you are telling the truth: Look me in the eye and tell me you didn’t take that money.13look who’s here! said when someone arrives without being expected14don’t look now used when you see someone you want to avoid: Don’t look now – here comes Kristen.15look what you’ve done! used to angrily tell someone to look at the result of a mistake he or she has made or something bad that he or she has done: Now look what you’ve done! You’ll have to clean it up.16lookin' good! slang used to tell someone that he or she looks attractive17not be looking yourself to appear tired, unhappy, sick, etc., when you are not this way usually: Are you okay? You haven’t been looking yourself lately.18look what the cat dragged in! said when someone comes into a room or building late or in a worse than normal condition19look here old-fashioned used to get someone’s attention in order to tell him or her something, especially when you are annoyed20look somebody up and down to look at someone carefully from someone's head to his or her feet, as if you are judging someone's appearance21look down your nose at somebody/something informal to think that you are better than someone else or that something is not very good: People in the club look down their noses at people like us.22FACE A DIRECTION [intransitive always + adv./prep.] if a building looks in a particular direction, it faces that direction SYN face: Most of the rooms look south.[Origin: Old English locian] → see also don’t/never look a gift horse in the mouth at gift1 (5), look kindly on/upon somebody/something at kindly1 (4), overlook1look after phrasal verb1look after somebody to take care of someone and keep someone safe SYN take care of: Who looks after the kids while you’re at work?look after yourself She’s old enough to look after herself.2look after something to be responsible for dealing with something and making sure nothing bad happens to it: Clayton has a manager who looks after his business interests.look ahead phrasal verb to plan future situations, events, etc., or to think about the future: look ahead to The company is looking ahead to next year.look around phrasal verb1 look around something to look at what is in a place such as a building, store, town, etc., especially when you are walking: We have about three hours to look around the museum.2 to search for something: look around for I began to look around for a place to live.look at phrasal verb1look at something to read something quickly, but not thoroughly: I haven’t had a chance to look at the report yet.2look at something to examine something, especially in order to try to find out what is wrong with it: You should get the doctor to look at that cut.3look at something to study and consider something, especially in order to decide what to do: Wildlife experts are looking at ways to protect the animals.4look at somebody/something to have a particular opinion about someone or something: The incident changed the way I looked at my parents.5look at somebody/something spoken a)used to show surprise at how good someone or something looks: Look at you! You’re filthy! b)used to show that you do not like the way someone or something looks or is behaving: Look at him, walking around as if he owns the place! c)used to give an example of something: Look at Eric. He didn’t go to college, and he’s doing all right.6not much to look at informal if someone is not much to look at, he or she is not attractivelook back phrasal verb1to think about something that happened in the past: look back on/to/at The program looks back at the events leading up to the war. Looking back on it, I’m glad I didn’t get the job.2never look back to not think about what has happened in the past, especially because you are very successful and are thinking about the future: He left his acting career and never looked back.look down on somebody/something phrasal verb to think that you are better than someone else or that something is not very good: They looked down on me because I never went to college.look for somebody/something phrasal verb1to try to find someone or something by looking in several places or asking several people: Brad was looking for you last night.2to want a particular type of person or thing for a particular purpose: How long have you been looking for a job? Leslie, you’re just the person I’m looking for! Come help me with this.3be looking for trouble informal to be behaving in a way that makes it likely that problems will happenlook forward to something phrasal verb to be excited and pleased about something that is going to happen: I’m really looking forward to our vacation.look forward to doing something We’re looking forward to meeting Don.look in phrasal verb informal to make a short visit to someone, especially someone who is sick or needs help: look in on I promised to look in on Dad.look into something phrasal verb1to try to find out the truth about a problem, crime, etc. in order to solve it SYN investigate: A special investigator will look into the bank robbery.2to try to find out more information about something: That sounds like a good idea. I’ll look into it.look on phrasal verb1 to watch something happening, without being involved in it or trying to stop it: The crowd looked on as the two men fought. → see also onlooker2look on/upon something to consider something in a particular way, or as a particular thing: look on/upon something as something My family looks on divorce as a sin.look on/upon something with something Townspeople looked upon them with contempt.look out phrasal verb look out! used to tell someone to pay attention or warn someone that he or she is in danger: Look out! You almost hit that cat!look out for somebody/something phrasal verb1to pay attention so that you will notice someone or something, or you will be prepared for anything dangerous that might happen: In this region, you have to look out for snakes.2to try to protect someone or something from anything bad that might happen: My older brother always looked out for me.3look out for yourself (also look out for number one) to think only about what will bring you an advantage, and not think about other peoplelook out on something phrasal verb to face a particular direction so that you can see things in that direction: My apartment window looks out on the park.look something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb to examine something or someone quickly, without paying much attention to detail: Can you look this letter over before I send it?look through phrasal verb1look through something to look for something among a pile of papers, in a drawer, in someone’s pockets, etc.: I caught my mother looking through my stuff.2look through something to read something quickly and not very carefully: I’ll look through my notes again.► see thesaurus at read13look through somebody to not notice someone or pretend that you do not see someone: I said hello to Paige, but she just looked right through me.look to/toward somebody/something phrasal verb1to depend on someone or something to provide help, advice, etc.: look to/toward for Cities are looking to state governments for aid.2to think about something in the future and plan for it, instead of thinking about the past: The graduating students are looking toward the future.look up phrasal verb1look something ↔ up to try to find information in a book, on a computer, etc.: If you don’t know the word, look it up in the dictionary.2 if a situation is looking up, it is improving: Things are looking up for downtown businesses.3look ↔ somebody up to visit someone you know, especially when you have come to the place where he or she lives for a different reason: If you ever get to Nashville, look me up.look up to somebody phrasal verb to admire or respect someone: Kids need role models to look up to.► see thesaurus at admire verb | noun
looklook2 ●●● S1 W1 noun 1LOOKING AT something [countable usually singular] an act of looking at something: Wow! Take a look at that moon. It’s huge!take a good/close look (at somebody/something) Take a good look at the picture. I’m not sure. I didn’t get a look at his face. Take a look around and see if you like the place.2CONSIDERING something [countable] an act of reading something quickly or considering it, especially in order to decide what to do: Have you taken a look at my proposal yet?a hard/good/close/long etc. look (at something) We need to take a long hard look at how the office is organized.3EXPRESSION [countable] an expression that you make with your eyes or face to show how you feel: Heather gave him an angry look. She keeps giving me dirty looks (=unfriendly looks).4APPEARANCE [countable usually singular] the appearance of something or someone: The blue walls give the room a cold look. I don’t like the look of those storm clouds. By the looks of it, the furniture was very old.5DESCRIPTION [countable] a short explanation or description of something: look at Here’s a brief look at today’s news.6FASHION [singular] a particular style in clothes, hair, furniture, etc.: He’s trying for a ’70s disco look.7looks [plural] someone’s physical attractiveness: She was afraid of losing her looks (=becoming less attractive). He has good looks (=an attractive appearance).8if looks could kill (somebody would be dead) used to say that someone looked at someone else in a very angry way