look around

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Definition

  1. Verb (intransitive):

    • To turn one's head and eyes to visually examine one's surroundings or the area near oneself.
    • To explore or inspect a place, often casually or without a specific, urgent goal.

  2. Verb (transitive):

    • To examine or inspect (a place or thing) by looking at various parts of it.
Usage Examples

  • Intransitive Verb:

    • When you enter the museum, take a moment to look around and get your bearings.
    • I heard a noise, so I stopped and looked around to see what it was.

  • Transitive Verb (look around [something]):

    • We spent the afternoon looking around the old town.
    • Would you like to look around the house before you decide?
Advanced Usage

  • "To have a look around": This is a common phrase meaning to spend some time examining a place.

    • The potential buyers asked if they could have a look around the property.

  • Used to imply casual searching or consideration:

    • I'm not sure what to buy; I'm just looking around for ideas.
Variants and Related Words

  • Look round (verb): A chiefly British English variant with the same meaning as "look around."

    • We decided to look round the cathedral.

  • Browse (verb): To look at things in a casual, leisurely way, often in a shop or online. It implies less purposeful searching than "look around."

    • I'm just browsing the bookstore, not looking for anything specific.
Synonyms
  • Survey: To look carefully and thoroughly at something, often from a high point.
  • Inspect: To look at something closely and critically, typically for assessment.
  • Peruse: To read or examine something, typically with great care. (Note: Often used more for reading than general visual examination.)
Related Phrasal Verbs

  • Look about: Synonymous with the intransitive use of "look around."

    • He looked about nervously, expecting to see someone he knew.

  • Look over: To examine something quickly or superficially.

    • Can you look over this report for any obvious errors?
Related Idioms

  • Look high and low: To search everywhere thoroughly.

    • I've been looking high and low for my keys! (This implies a more active and urgent search than "looking around.")

  • Take a gander (at): (Informal) To have a look at something.

    • Why don't you take a gander at the engine and see what you think?
Verb
  1. look about oneself
    • look around to see whether you can find the missing document