v., n., & int.
--v.
1. a intr. (often foll. by at) use one's sight; turn one's eyes in some direction. b tr. turn one's eyes on; contemplate or examine (looked me in the eyes).
2 intr. a make a visual or mental search (I'll look in the morning). b (foll. by at) consider, examine (we must look at the facts).
3 intr. (foll. by for) a search for. b hope or be on the watch for. c expect.
4 intr. inquire (when one looks deeper).
5 intr. have a specified appearance; seem (look a fool; look foolish).
6 intr. (foll. by to) a consider; take care of; be careful about (look to the future). b rely on (a person or thing) (you can look to me for support). c expect; count on; aim at.
7 intr. (foll. by into) investigate or examine.
8 tr. (foll. by what, where, etc. + clause) ascertain or observe by sight (look where we are).
9 intr. (of a thing) face or be turned, or have or afford an outlook, in a specified direction.
10 tr. express, threaten, or show (an emotion etc.) by one's looks.
11 intr. (foll. by that + clause) take care; make sure.
12 intr. (foll. by to + infin.) expect (am looking to finish this today).
--n.
1. an act of looking; the directing of the eyes to look at a thing or person; a glance (a scornful look).
2 (in sing. or pl.) the appearance of a face; a person's expression or personal aspect.
3 the (esp. characteristic) appearance of a thing (the place has a European look).
--int. (also look here!) calling attention, expressing a protest, etc.
Phrases and idioms:
look after
1. attend to; take care of.
2 follow with the eye.
3 seek for. look one's age appear to be as old as one really is. look-alike a person or thing closely resembling another (a Prince Charles look-alike). look alive (or lively) colloq. be brisk and alert. look as if suggest by appearance the belief that (it looks as if he's gone).
look back
1. (foll. by on, upon, to) turn one's thoughts to (something past).
2 (usu. with neg.) cease to progress (since then we have never looked back).
3 Brit. make a further visit later. look before you leap avoid precipitate action. look daggers see DAGGER. look down on (or upon or look down one's nose at) regard with contempt or a feeling of superiority. look for trouble see TROUBLE. look forward to await (an expected event) eagerly or with specified feelings. look in make a short visit or call. look-in n.
colloq.
1. an informal call or visit.
2 a chance of participation or success (never gets a look-in). look a person in the eye (or eyes or face) look directly and unashamedly at him or her.
look like
1. have the appearance of.
2 Brit. seem to be (they look like winning).
3 threaten or promise (it looks like rain).
4 indicate the presence of (it looks like woodworm).
look on
1. (often foll. by as) regard (looks on you as a friend; looked on them with disfavour).
2 be a spectator; avoid participation. look oneself appear in good health (esp. after illness etc.).
look out
1. direct one's sight or put one's head out of a window etc.
2 (often foll. by for) be vigilant or prepared.
3 (foll. by on, over, etc.) have or afford a specified outlook.
4 search for and produce (shall look one out for you).
look over
1. inspect or survey (looked over the house).
2 examine (a document etc.) esp. cursorily (shall look it over).
look round
1. look in every or another direction.
2 examine the objects of interest in a place (you must come and look round sometime).
3 examine the possibilities etc. with a view to deciding on a course of action. look-see colloq. a survey or inspection. look sharp act promptly; make haste (orig. keep strict watch). look small see SMALL.
look through
1. examine the contents of, esp. cursorily.
2 penetrate (a pretence or pretender) with insight.
3 ignore by pretending not to see (I waved, but you just looked through me). look up 1 search for (esp. information in a book).
2 colloq. go to visit (a person) (had intended to look them up).
3 raise one's eyes (looked up when I went in).
4 improve, esp. in price, prosperity, or well-being (things are looking up all round). look a person up and down scrutinize a person keenly or contemptuously. look up to respect or venerate. not like the look of find alarming or suspicious.
Derivatives:
-looking adj. (in comb.).
Etymology: OE locian f. WG