I. look 1 S1 W1 /lʊk/ BrE AmE verb
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: locian ]
1 . SEE [intransitive] to turn your eyes towards something, so that you can see it:
We sneaked out while Jessie’s mom wasn’t looking.
If you look carefully you can see that the painting represents a human figure.
Gina covered her eyes, afraid to look.
look at
‘It’s time we left,’ Ian said, looking at his watch.
The men all turned to look at her as she entered the room.
look away/over/down etc
Dad looked up from his paper and smiled.
‘We can’t go out in this weather,’ said Bob, looking out of the window.
2 . SEARCH [intransitive] to try to find something:
I looked everywhere but Jimmy was nowhere to be found.
look for
Could you help me look for my contact lens?
If you’re looking for a bargain, try the local market.
look in/under/between etc
Try looking under the bed.
3 . SEEM [linking verb] to seem:
From the way things look at the moment, the Republicans are unlikely to win this election.
look good/bad etc
The future’s looking good.
it looks as if/as though/like (=it seems likely that)
It looks as if it might rain later.
It looks like they won’t be needing us any more.
You made me look really stupid in front of all my friends!
4 . APPEARANCE [linking verb] to have a particular appearance:
How do I look?
look tired/happy/sad etc
You look tired. You should go to bed.
look as if/as though/like
He looked as if he hadn’t washed for a week.
What did the man look like?
My sister doesn’t look anything like me.
⇨ look like a million dollars at ↑ million (4)
5 . look daggers at somebody informal to look at someone with a very angry expression on your face
6 . look somebody up and down to look at someone carefully from their head to their feet, as if you were forming an opinion about them
7 . look somebody in the eye to look directly at someone when you are speaking to them, especially to show that you are not afraid of them or that you are telling the truth:
Owen didn’t dare look his father in the eye.
8 . look down your nose at somebody/something to behave as if you think that someone or something is not good enough for you:
He looks down his nose at anyone foreign.
9 . look the other way to ignore something bad that is happening and not try to stop it:
Prison guards looked the other way as the man was attacked by fellow prisoners.
10 . look no further used to say that something you are offering is exactly what someone has been trying to find:
Want a quiet country retreat for your weekend break? Then look no further!
11 . FACE A DIRECTION [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] if a building looks in a particular direction, it faces that direction:
The cabin looks east, so we get the morning sun.
12 . look before you leap used to say that it is sensible to think about the possible dangers or difficulties of something before doing it
13 . be looking to do something informal to be planning or expecting to do something:
We’re looking to buy a new car early next year.
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SPOKEN PHRASES
14 . look
a) used to tell someone to look at something that you think is interesting, surprising etc:
Look! There’s a fox!
b) used to get someone’s attention so that you can suggest something or tell them something:
Look. Why don’t you think about it and give me your answer tomorrow?
Look, I’ve had enough of this. I’m going home.
15 . look out! used to warn someone that they are in danger SYN watch out :
Look out! There’s a car coming.
16 . look at that! used to tell someone to look at something that you think is interesting, bad etc:
Look at that! What a horrible mess!
17 . look who’s here! used when someone arrives unexpectedly:
Well, look who’s here! It’s Jill and Paul!
18 . don’t look now used to say that you have seen someone but do not want them to know you have noticed them:
Oh no! Don’t look now but here comes Tony.
19 . look what you’re doing/look where you’re going etc used to tell someone to be careful:
Look where you’re putting your feet! There’s mud all over the carpet!
20 . look what you’ve done! used to angrily tell someone to look at the result of a mistake they have made or something bad they have done:
Look what you’ve done – my jacket’s ruined!
21 . look here old-fashioned used to get someone’s attention in order to tell them something, especially when you are annoyed with them:
Look here, you can’t say things like that to me!
22 . (I’m) just looking used when you are in a shop, to say that you are only looking at things, but do not intend to buy anything now:
‘Can I help you?’ ‘No, thanks. I’m just looking.’
⇨ look kindly on somebody/something at ↑ kindly 1 (3)
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ look to turn your eyes towards someone or something, so that you can see them:
You should never look directly at the sun.
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After a while, he turned and looked at me.
▪ have/take a look especially spoken to look at something quickly, especially in order to find or check something:
I’ll have a look in my desk.
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Take a look at this!
▪ glance to look at someone or something for a short time and then look quickly away:
Damien glanced nervously at his watch.
▪ peek/peep ( also take a peek/peep ) to look quickly at something. Used especially when you are not supposed to look, or when you are looking through a small gap:
The door was open so he peeked inside.
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Katy peeped at her birthday present on the table.
▪ peer to look very carefully, especially because you cannot see well:
Kenji was peering at the screen.
▪ glare to look at someone in an angry way:
She glared at me as I got up to leave.
▪ stare to look at someone or something for a long time without moving your eyes:
It’s rude to stare.
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She stared straight into the camera.
▪ gaze to look at someone or something for a long time, often without realizing that you are doing it:
She gazed out of the window.
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He lay on his bed gazing at the ceiling.
▪ gape to look at someone or something for a long time, usually with your mouth open, because you are very shocked or surprised:
People gaped at him with wide-open mouths.
▪ regard formal to look at someone or something, especially in a particular way:
He regarded her steadily.
look after somebody/something phrasal verb especially British English
1 . to take care of someone by helping them, giving them what they need, or keeping them safe SYN take care of :
Don’t worry, I’ll look after the kids tomorrow.
Susan looked after us very well. She’s an excellent cook.
You could tell that the horse had been well looked after.
2 . to be responsible for dealing with something SYN take care of :
I’m leaving you here to look after the business until I get back.
3 . look after yourself especially British English spoken used when you are saying goodbye to someone in a friendly way
4 . can look after yourself to not need anyone else to take care of you:
Don’t worry about Maisie – she can look after herself.
look ahead phrasal verb
to think about and plan for what might happen in the future:
Looking ahead, we must expect radical changes to be made in our system of government.
look around ( also look round British English ) phrasal verb
1 . to try to find something
look around for
Jason’s going to start looking around for a new job.
2 . look around/round (something) to look at what is in a place such as a building, shop, town etc, especially when you are walking:
Do we have to pay to look around the castle?
Let’s look round the shops.
look at somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to turn your eyes towards someone or something, so that you can see them:
The twins looked at each other and smiled.
2 . to read something quickly in order to form an opinion of it:
I really can’t comment on the report – I haven’t had time to look at it yet.
3 . to examine something and try to find out what is wrong with it:
You should get the doctor to look at that cut.
Can you look at my car? There’s a strange noise coming from the front wheel.
4 . to study and think about something, especially in order to decide what to do:
We need to look very carefully at ways of improving our efficiency.
5 . look at somebody/something spoken used to mention someone or something as an example:
You don’t have to be smart to be good at music – look at Gary.
6 . to think about something in a particular way SYN see :
I’d like to be friends again, but Richard doesn’t look at it that way.
7 . not much to look at informal if someone or something is not much to look at, they are not attractive
look back phrasal verb
1 . to think about something that happened in the past
look back on/to
When I look back on those days I realize I was desperately unhappy.
Looking back on it, I still can’t figure out what went wrong.
2 . never look back to become more and more successful, especially after a particular success:
After winning the scholarship he never looked back.
look down on something/somebody phrasal verb
to think that you are better than someone else, for example because you are more successful, or of a higher social class than they are:
Mr Garcia looks down on anyone who hasn’t had a college education.
look for somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to try to find something that you have lost, or someone who is not where they should be SYN search for :
I’m looking for Steve – have you seen him?
Detectives are still looking for the escaped prisoner.
⇨ ↑ search 2 (1)
2 . be looking for somebody/something to be trying to find a particular kind of thing or person:
I’m sorry, we’re really looking for someone with no family commitments.
be (just) what/who you are looking for
‘Salubrious’! That’s just the word I was looking for.
3 . be looking for trouble informal to be behaving in a way that makes it likely that problems or violence will happen:
They walked into a bar looking for trouble.
look 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
My mother says she’s looking forward to meeting you.
look in phrasal verb informal
to make a short visit to someone, while you are going somewhere else, especially if they are ill or need help SYN drop in , call in
look in on
I promised to look in on Dad and see if he’s feeling any better.
look into something phrasal verb
to try to find out the truth about a problem, crime etc in order to solve it SYN investigate :
Police are looking into the disappearance of two children.
look on phrasal verb
1 . to watch something happening, without being involved in it or trying to stop it ⇨ onlooker :
Only one man tried to help us, the rest just looked on in silence.
2 . look on somebody/something ( also look upon somebody/something ) to consider someone or something in a particular way, or as a particular thing
look on as
I look on him as a good friend.
look on with
Strangers to the village are looked upon with a mixture of fear and suspicion.
look something ↔ out phrasal verb
to search for and find a particular thing among your possessions:
I’ll look out some of my old books for you.
look out for somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to pay attention to what is happening around you, so that you will notice a particular person or thing if you see them ⇨ lookout :
Look out for your Aunt while you’re at the station.
He’s looking out for a nice apartment downtown.
2 . to try to make sure that someone is treated well:
My older brother always looked out for me when we were kids.
look out for yourself/number one (=think only of the advantages you can get for yourself)
look something/somebody ↔ over phrasal verb
to examine something or someone quickly, without paying much attention to detail:
Do you have a few minutes to look these samples over?
look round phrasal verb British English
to ↑ look around
look through somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to look for something among a pile of papers, in a drawer, in someone’s pockets etc SYN go through :
I’ve looked through all my papers but I still can’t find the contract.
2 . to not notice or pretend to not notice someone you know, even though you see them
look straight/right through somebody
I saw Fiona in the street yesterday and she looked straight through me.
look to somebody/something phrasal verb
1 . to depend on someone to provide help, advice etc
look to somebody/something for
We look to you for support.
look to somebody to do something
They’re looking to the new manager to make the company profitable.
2 . to pay attention to something, especially in order to improve it:
We must look to our defences.
look up phrasal verb
1 . if a situation is looking up, it is improving SYN improve , get better :
Now the summer’s here things are looking up!
2 . look something ↔ up if you look up information in a book, on a computer etc, you try to find it there:
Look the word up in your dictionary.
I’ll just look up the train times.
3 . look somebody ↔ up to visit someone you know, especially when you are in the place where they live for a different reason:
Don’t forget to look me up when you come to Atlanta.
look up to somebody phrasal verb
to admire or respect someone:
I’ve always looked up to Bill for his courage and determination.
II. look 2 S1 W1 BrE AmE noun
1 . LOOK AT [countable usually singular] an act of looking at something
have/take a look (at somebody/something)
Let me have a look at that – I think it’s mine.
Take a good look at the photo and see if you recognize anyone in it.
I took one look at the coat and decided it wasn’t worth £50.
have/take a look around (also have/take a look round )British English (=look at all the things in a particular place)
I have a special interest in old houses. Do you mind if I take a look around?
2 . EXPRESSION [countable] an expression that you make with your eyes or face
give somebody a look
Mike gave him such a severe look he didn’t dare argue.
Why has Jake been giving me dirty looks (=unfriendly looks) all morning?
3 . CONSIDER [singular] an act of examining something and thinking about it
have/take a look (at somebody/something)
Have you had a chance to take a look at my proposal yet?
I asked the vet to have a quick look at the puppies as well.
It’s time to take a fresh look at the old problem of low pay.
This month, take a long hard look (=examine very carefully) at where your money is going.
4 . SEARCH [singular] an attempt to find something:
I can’t find them anywhere. Have a look yourself.
She had a good look (=searched carefully) through the files.
5 . APPEARANCE [countable usually singular] the appearance that someone or something has:
The area has a very seedy look to it.
Mr Flynn had a tired, ill look in his eyes.
not like the look of somebody/something (=think that something bad has happened or will happen because of something’s appearance)
We should turn back now. It’s getting dark and I don’t like the look of those rain clouds.
6 . WAY SOMETHING SEEMS [countable] the way something seems to be:
The neighbours are back from holiday by the looks of it (=that is how it seems) .
I don’t like the look of this new policy (=I do not like the way it seems) .
7 . BEAUTY looks [plural] physical attractiveness:
Fiona’s got everything – looks, money and youth.
You get your good looks from your mother.
When she lost her looks (=became less attractive) she found it difficult to get work.
8 . FASHION [singular] a particular style in clothes, hair, furniture etc:
The hippy look is back again.
9 . if looks could kill used to say that someone is looking at someone else in a very angry or unfriendly way
• • •
THESAURUS
▪ look an act of looking at something:
Let me have a look at the map.
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I took a quick look around the room.
▪ glance a quick look at something before looking away again:
Susan cast a quick glance at me (=she looked quickly at me) .
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He could not resist a sidelong glance (=quickly looking to the side) to see what was happening on the other side of the road.
▪ glimpse a short look at someone or something in which you do not see them very clearly:
Fans were hoping to catch a glimpse of the singer as he left the hotel.
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I had only a fleeting glimpse (=a very quick look) of the two men as they ran away.
▪ gaze a long steady look:
Eddie fixed his gaze on the floor.
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She looked up and met his gaze (=looked at him when he was looking at her) .
▪ stare a long direct look, especially in an unfriendly way or in a way that shows you are surprised:
He was watching me with a cold stare.
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My cheery ‘Good Morning’ was met with a blank stare (=a stare which shows no emotion) .
▪ glare an angry look at someone:
She gave him a hostile glare as he entered the room.
▪ frown a confused or annoyed look:
‘Anyway,’ she said with a frown, ‘I don’t see how there could be a connection.’