look

1 of 2

verb

looked; looking; looks

transitive verb

1
: to make sure or take care (that something is done)
censor to look that no man lived idlyEdward Gee
2
: to ascertain by the use of one's eyes
look what I brought you
3
a
: to exercise the power of vision upon : examine
b
archaic : to search for
4
a
: expect, anticipate
we look to have a good year
b
: to have in mind as an end
looking to win back some lost profits
5
archaic : to bring into a place or condition by the exercise of the power of vision
6
: to express by the eyes or facial expression
the friar looked his surpriseRobert Brennan
7
: to have an appearance that befits or accords with
looks her age

intransitive verb

1
a
: to exercise the power of vision : see
b
: to direct one's attention
look upon the future with hope
look at the map
c
: to direct the eyes
looked up from the newspaper
2
: to have the appearance or likelihood of being : seem
it looks unlikely
looks to be hard work
3
: to have a specified outlook
the house looked east
4
: to gaze in wonder or surprise : stare
5
: to show a tendency
the evidence looks to acquittal

look

2 of 2

noun

1
a
: the act of looking
b
: glance
2
a
: the expression of the countenance
b
: physical appearance
especially : attractive physical appearance
usually used in plural
c
: a combination of design features giving a unified appearance
a new look in women's fashions
3
: the state or form in which something appears
Phrases
look after
: to take care of
looked after her sick mother
look at
1
: consider sense 1
looking at the possibility of relocating
2
: confront, face
looking at a mandatory fineCindy Kilass
look down one's nose
: to view something with arrogance, disdain, or disapproval
writers who look down their noses at popular culture
look for
1
: to await with hope or anticipation
You can look for me to arrive at noon.
2
: to search for : seek
looking for a new car
look forward
: to anticipate with pleasure or satisfaction
looking forward to your visit
look into
: explore sense 1a
Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.
look the other way
: to direct one's attention away from something unpleasant or troublesome
We can't just look the other way while these violations of human rights continue to occur.
look to
1
: to direct one's attention to
looking to the future
2
: to rely upon
looks to reading for relaxation
Choose the Right Synonym for look

expect, hope, look mean to await some occurrence or outcome.

expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled

looks to a tidy profit from the sale

; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

Examples of look in a Sentence

Verb He looked straight ahead and kept walking. When you take a walk, look around you. She smiled at me and then looked away. He looked back the way he had come. Look both ways before you cross the street. When I finally reached the top I was afraid to look down. She looked from one person to the next. They looked off into the distance. He was looking over his shoulder. Her new haircut makes her look young. Noun I don't think you left it here, but I'll take a look around for it. I took a quick look, but he wasn't there.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Because Ødegaard looks to have finally found his home at Arsenal. Ben Church, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Delta-8 looks much like delta-9 THC — the more common molecule in cannabis that makes people feel high — but has a slightly different structure, with a double bond located between a different set of carbon atoms. Emily Alpert Reyes, Los Angeles Times, 13 Mar. 2024 With the help of his friends and later Gail’s assistant (a too-brief appearance by Stephanie Hsu), Colt traverses Sydney looking for clues and putting his years of stunt training to use. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2024 The Contenders is a midweek column that looks at artists aiming for the top of the Billboard charts, and the strategies behind their efforts. Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 13 Mar. 2024 If anything, tomorrow’s looking warmer thanks in part to fewer clouds. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 Audiences no longer look for beauty — or truth — but seek political confirmation. Armond White, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 But with the pace of Chinese growth slowing down, the two EV giants are now looking overseas for more growth opportunities. Lionel Lim, Fortune Asia, 13 Mar. 2024 Peter Weber went from looking for love on The Bachelor to seeking out Traitors on The Traitors. Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
In the sequel, directors Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo reunite with authors Michael Pollan (The Omnivore’s Dilemma) and Eric Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) for another look at the country’s food system. Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Mar. 2024 Robert Kenner and Melissa Robledo direct the film from Participant and River Road, which reunites the directors with authors Michael Pollan and Eric Schlosser to take a fresh look at how corporate consolidation has left the food system vulnerable. Pat Saperstein, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 Restaurant dining has changed post-pandemic The Atlantic has taken a close look at how the restaurant industry has adjusted to post-2020 circumstances. Dennis Lee / The Takeout, Quartz, 14 Mar. 2024 Gear Cameras March 14, 2024 Leica’s New York Flagship Store and Gallery in Photos The space’s monochrome look was inspired by the Big Apple’s legendary street photographers. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 14 Mar. 2024 Christie Brinkley fires back:Model calls out critics of her looks: 'The Wrinkle Brigade is out in full force' Brinkley said her carcinoma was discovered unexpectedly during a checkup for her daughter. USA TODAY, 14 Mar. 2024 Each sock color, material, and design element is thoughtfully selected by Lee herself to ensure every style can complement a look. Maia Torres, Vogue, 13 Mar. 2024 Tarek shared a series of videos and photos to his Instagram Story on Sunday giving an inside look at the trip, which friends of the family also appeared to join. Erin Clements, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024 Sherwin-Williams’ Black Fox (SW 7020) delivers a similar look thanks to greige undertones that prevent it from feeling too stark or standoffish. Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 13 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'look.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English, from Old English lōcian; akin to Old Saxon lōcōn to look

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of look was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near look

Cite this Entry

“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/look. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

look

1 of 2 verb
1
: to exercise the power of vision : see
2
: to express by the eyes or by an expression of the face
3
a
: to have an appearance that is suitable for
looks her age
b
: seem sense 1
it looks dangerous
4
: to direct one's attention or eyes
look in the mirror
5
: point entry 2 sense 4, face
the house looks east

look

2 of 2 noun
1
a
: the act of looking
2
a
: the expression of the face
b
: physical appearance
especially : attractive physical appearance
usually used in plural
3
: the state or form in which something appears : aspect

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