look
noun
Definitions of look noun
gaze
- B1Countable
The act of directing one's gaze towards someone or something.
She cast a glance at him that was filled with obvious dislike.
Carefully observe this photograph to see if you can identify anyone.
May I take a look at your dictionary?
search
- B1CountableUsually singular
The action of trying to locate something or someone.
I searched for the watch again, but still couldn't find it.
expression
- B2Countable
The way someone's face expresses their feelings.
She had a worried expression on her face.
She looked at me with a questioning gaze.
style
- C1Countable
A particular style or fashion.
The fashion this year is going to be relaxed and informal.
Phrases of look noun
- the look of someone/something
The appearance or impression that someone or something gives.
• The look of the restaurant was very appealing, but the food quality was not great.
- someone's looks
A person's physical appearance, particularly in terms of how attractive they are considered to be.
• She is very conscious of her looks and always strives for perfection.
verb
Definitions of look verb
see
- A1Intransitive
To turn one's eyes in a specific direction to see something.
Observe! Grandmother is over there.
They glanced at the painting and then chuckled.
Observe all of these playthings on the floor.
search
- A1Intransitive
To make an effort to find a particular thing or person.
I am currently searching for my keys.
I have searched every possible location, but I am unable to find my spectacles.
Have you checked in the dictionary?
seem
- A2IntransitiveLinking verbVerb + adv/prep
To give a particular impression or seem in a specific way.
You appear to be in good health!
These roads appear to be very slick.
That dress suits you well.
direction
- B2IntransitiveVerb + adv/prep
To have a specific direction or orientation.
That garden is oriented towards the south.
This window offers a view of the lake.
warning
- Intransitive
Used to advise someone to be careful or observant.
Be mindful of where you are walking!
Pay attention to the time—we are already running late!
Phrases of look verb
- be looking to do something
to have plans to do something; to intend to do something
• We are looking to expand our product line next year.
exclamation
Definitions of look exclamation
Used to express irritation or anger.
Listen, I have already informed you that it is not feasible.
Enough, I have had quite enough of this.
Idioms
- never look back
To achieve continuous success after an initial positive outcome, with no setbacks or regression.
• Since he won that competition, he has never looked back, continuously achieving great results.
- I'm just looking
A polite way of telling a shop assistant that you are not yet ready to buy anything and do not require assistance at the moment; commonly used when browsing in a store.
• "Hello, do you need any help?" "No, thank you, I'm just looking."
- by the look(s) of things
Based on the current evidence or situation, it would seem that...
• By the look of things, we might not finish all the work today.
- look on the bright side
To focus on the positive aspects of a negative situation.
• Although we lost the game, looking on the bright side, we learned many valuable lessons.
- Never look a gift horse in the mouth
This idiom advises against being critical or unappreciative of a gift or favor that someone has offered.
• She gave me an old sweater, and even though it was a bit outdated, I accepted it graciously, remembering not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
- look to your laurels
to recognize increased competition and consequently exert more effort to maintain one's position or succeed.
• With the rise of new companies, established firms must look to their laurels to maintain their market position.
- look out for number one
To prioritize one's own interests and well-being above those of others; to act selfishly.
• In business negotiations, you have to look out for number one; sometimes, you need to be a little selfish.
- look kindly on someone/something
To regard someone or something with favor or approval.
• I hope that the manager will look kindly on my new project proposal.
- look straight/right through someone
To deliberately ignore someone by not acknowledging their presence, or to appear to not see them because one is preoccupied with their own thoughts.
• She walked into the room, but looked straight through me as if I wasn't even there.
- be looking for trouble
To behave in a way that is very likely to cause problems or difficulties for oneself.
• Asking for a raise when the boss is in a bad mood is just looking for trouble.
- look lively/sharp!
Used to urge someone to act or move more quickly.
• The clock is ticking, look lively!
- be not much to look at
To not be visually appealing or attractive.
• This old car is not much to look at, but it is very reliable.
- look daggers at someone
To look at someone with extreme anger or disapproval, often with a fierce or hostile expression.
• He looked daggers at the con artist when he realized he had been tricked.
- look someone in the eye/face
To speak to someone directly and confidently, demonstrating honesty or a lack of shame.
• During the meeting, she looked the manager in the eye and expressed her concerns.
- make someone look small
To cause someone to feel or appear foolish, incompetent, or insignificant by comparison.
• Her insightful analysis during the meeting made the other colleagues' reports look small.
- never look a gift horse in the mouth
This idiom advises against being critical or unappreciative of a gift or favor that is offered; it suggests one should accept it gratefully without questioning its value.
• He offered free accommodation, so we should accept it; after all, never look a gift horse in the mouth.
- if looks could kill...
This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is glaring at another person with such intense anger that it appears their look could inflict harm.
• She glared at him when she found out he had broken her new phone; if looks could kill, he would have been dead.
Phrasal Verbs of look
- look ahead
to consider future events and prepare for them accordingly
• He often looks ahead to make wise investment decisions for his retirement.
- look over something
to conduct a swift review or assessment of something
• We should look over the report before the meeting starts.
- look forward to something
to have a sense of happiness and anticipation regarding a future event
• I am looking forward to the upcoming vacation.
- look at something
to carefully consider a topic in order to reach a decision regarding it
• Before making an investment decision, he took a close look at all the data.
- look something up
to seek out specific information by consulting a book or using a computer.
• It is essential to look up the definition of this word in the dictionary.
- look back
to reflect on events or experiences from the past
• When I look back, I realize I have achieved a lot.
- look up
to improve or show signs of improvement
• After several months of hard work, his academic performance finally started to look up.
- look out
to be mindful of what is occurring and exercise caution
• You should always look out for your surroundings when crossing the street.
- look in
to briefly visit someone, typically while heading to another destination
• I plan to look in on my grandmother on the way home.
- look through something
to rapidly review or skim through written material
• Before the meeting, I looked through all the reports quickly.
- look into something
to investigate and assess the details of an issue or situation
• We need to look into the root causes of this issue to find a solution.
- look on
to observe an event without participating in it
• We looked on at the parade in the street but did not participate.
- look something out
to locate something by searching
• I need to look out that book he mentioned.
- look after someone/something
to be responsible for the care or supervision of a person or an object
• I need to find someone to look after my puppy.
- look to someone to do something
to expect someone to handle something or take action on your behalf
• We look to her to provide support in this project.
- look down on someone
to regard oneself as superior to another individual
• She always looks down on those who do not have a college degree.
- look out for someone/something
to make an effort to observe or detect someone or something
• Please look out for any cars while you are walking on the street.
- look around (somewhere/something)
to explore a location and examine what is present there
• They decided to look around the newly opened museum.
- look on/upon someone/something as something
to regard someone or something in a particular way
• The teacher looks on the children as the hope for the future.
- look round (somewhere/something)
Refer to look around (somewhere/something)
• We should look round here and see if there’s anything fun to do. The park nearby might be a good choice.
- look to someone for something
to expect that someone will supply or give something to you
• In this meeting, we look to Mr. Zhang for professional advice.
- look someone up
to call on someone you haven't met in a while when you are in their area
• I plan to look my old friend up when I visit New York next time.
- look up to someone
to hold someone in high regard and respect them
• Many students look up to him because he is an excellent teacher.