Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To be a spectator; to watch an event or situation without directly participating. It means to observe something happening, often from a distance or without getting involved.
   • To regard or consider someone or something in a particular way. It means to have a specific opinion or view about a person or thing.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (observe as a spectator):

  • The crowd gathered to look on as the parade passed by.
  • He preferred to look on from the sidelines rather than join the game.

• Verb (regard or consider):

  • She looks on him as a trusted mentor.
  • Many people look on this historical period with great nostalgia.

Advanced Usage and Patterns

• "look on as": This common pattern is used to specify how someone or something is regarded.
  • I look on this project as a valuable learning experience.
• "look on with": This pattern is used to describe the emotion or attitude accompanying the observation.
  • The mother looked on with pride as her daughter received the award.
  • They could only look on with horror at the scene of the accident.

Variants and Related Words

• Onlooker (n): A person who watches something happening without being involved; a spectator.
  • The police asked the onlookers to move back.
• Looker-on (n): A less common, formal synonym for 'onlooker'.
• Bystander (n): A person who is present at an event but not involved; often implies passive observation.

Synonyms

• Observe: To watch carefully, especially to learn something.
• Watch: To look at something attentively, typically over a period of time.
• Regard: To consider or think of in a specified way.
• View: To look at or see; to consider in a particular way.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Look upon: A more formal variant of 'look on' with the same meanings (to regard or to watch).
  • He is looked upon as an expert in his field.
• Look out: To be vigilant or to watch for potential danger.
  • Look out for oncoming traffic when you cross the street.
• Look over: To examine or inspect something, often quickly.
  • Could you look over this report before I submit it?

Related Idioms

• Look on the bright side: To be optimistic or focus on the positive aspects of a situation.
  • Even though it's raining, look on the bright side—the garden needed water.
• A looker-on sees most of the game: An idiom meaning that an outside observer often has a clearer or more objective view of a situation than those directly involved.

Verb

1. look on as or consider
   • she looked on this affair as a joke
   • He thinks of himself as a brilliant musician
   • He is reputed to be intelligent
2. observe with attention
   • They watched as the murderer was executed