Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To search for and find information in a reference source: The action of consulting a book, list, database, or other resource to find specific information.
   • To visit or contact someone after a period of not seeing them: To seek out and meet with someone, typically to renew acquaintance or check on their well-being.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To improve or become more positive: To get better, especially after a period of difficulty or decline.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (transitive - seeking information):
  • If you don't know the meaning, look it up in the dictionary.
  • I need to look up the train schedule online.
• Verb (transitive - visiting someone):
  • I hope to look up my old professor when I'm in town.
  • You should look him up; he'd be glad to hear from you.
• Verb (intransitive - improving):
  • Things are starting to look up for the company this quarter.
  • After the rain stopped, the weather began to look up.

Advanced Usage

• "look up to" (phrasal verb): To admire and respect someone.
  • She looks up to her older sister as a role model.
• The intransitive use ("things look up") is often used impersonally with subjects like "situation," "prospects," or "business."

Variants and Related Words

• Lookup (noun): The process of looking up information.
  • A database lookup.
• Look-up (adjective): Describing something used for finding information.
  • A look-up table.

Synonyms

• Consult: To seek information or advice from (e.g., ).
• Refer to: To turn to for information (e.g., ).
• Research: To investigate systematically.
• Visit: To go to see a person or place.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Look up to: To admire someone.
  • Many young athletes look up to professional stars.
• Look down on: To regard with contempt (antonym of "look up to").
  • It's wrong to look down on people from different backgrounds.

Related Idioms

• Look someone up and down: To examine someone critically from head to toe.
  • The guard looked the visitor up and down before letting him in.
• Look up and see: To direct one's gaze upward and notice.
  • I looked up and saw a bird in the tree. (Note: This is a literal combination of "look" and "up," not the phrasal verb "look up").

Verb

1. seek information from
   • You should consult the dictionary
   • refer to your notes