Definition

1. Verb:

   • To direct one's gaze in a specific direction: To intentionally use your eyes to see something or someone.
   • To have a particular appearance: To seem or appear in a certain way.
   • To search for or seek: To try to find something.
   • To face or be oriented in a specific direction: To have a front or aspect that points toward something.

2. Noun:

   • An act of looking or seeing: The action of directing your eyes toward something.
   • The expression on a person's face: The appearance conveyed by someone's face.
   • General appearance or aspect: The way something or someone appears to be.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Look at that beautiful painting. (Direct your gaze toward it.)
  • She looks tired today. (She appears to be tired.)
  • I need to look for my keys. (I need to search for my keys.)
  • The balcony looks onto the garden. (The balcony faces the garden.)

• Noun:

  • Take a look at this document. (Examine it visually.)
  • He had a worried look on his face. (His facial expression showed worry.)
  • I don't like the look of this situation. (I don't like the general appearance or impression of this situation.)

Advanced Usage

• "Look as if" / "Look like": Used to describe an impression or similarity.

  • It looks like it's going to rain. (It appears that rain is coming.)
  • She looks as if she's seen a ghost. (Her appearance suggests she saw a ghost.)

• "Look to": To rely on or expect something from someone; to consider or focus on.

  • We look to our leaders for guidance. (We expect guidance from them.)
  • The company is looking to expand next year. (The company is planning or aiming to expand.)

• "Look the part": To have an appearance suitable for a particular role.

  • With that suit, you really look the part of a CEO. (Your appearance matches what is expected of a CEO.)

Variants and Related Words

• Looker (n): An attractive person.
  • He was quite a looker in his youth.
• Looking glass (n): A mirror.
  • She stared at her reflection in the looking glass.
• Good-looking (adj): Attractive in appearance.
  • They are a very good-looking couple.

Synonyms

• Glance (v/n): To look quickly; a quick look.
• Gaze (v/n): To look steadily and intently; a steady look.
• Appear (v): To seem or give a particular impression.
• Seek (v): To search for.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Look after: To take care of someone or something.
  • Can you look after my cat while I'm away?
• Look into: To investigate or examine.
  • The police will look into the matter.
• Look up to: To admire or respect someone.
  • Many young athletes look up to her.
• Look down on: To regard someone with contempt or as inferior.
  • It's wrong to look down on people from different backgrounds.
• Look forward to: To anticipate something with pleasure.
  • I look forward to meeting you.

Related Idioms

• Look before you leap: Think carefully about the possible consequences before acting.
  • Buying a house is a big decision, so look before you leap.
• Look on the bright side: To be optimistic or focus on positive aspects.
  • I know you're disappointed, but try to look on the bright side.
• Look a gift horse in the mouth: To be critical of something received for free.
  • He gave you a free ticket? Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Noun

1. the general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people
   • the feel of the city excited him
   • a clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
   • it had the smell of treason
2. physical appearance
   • I don't like the looks of this place
3. the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually
   • he went out to have a look
   • his look was fixed on her eyes
   • he gave it a good looking at
   • his camera does his looking for him
4. the feelings expressed on a person's face
   • a sad expression
   • a look of triumph
   • an angry face

Verb

1. have faith or confidence in
   • you can count on me to help you any time
   • Look to your friends for support
   • You can bet on that!
   • Depend on your family in times of crisis
2. accord in appearance with
   • You don't look your age!
3. look forward to the probable occurrence of
   • We were expecting a visit from our relatives
   • She is looking to a promotion
   • he is waiting to be drafted
4. convey by one's expression
   • She looked her devotion to me
5. take charge of or deal with
   • Could you see about lunch?
   • I must attend to this matter
   • She took care of this business
6. be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
   • The house looks north
   • My backyard look onto the pond
   • The building faces the park
7. search or seek
   • We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
   • Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
8. have a certain outward or facial expression
   • How does she look?
   • The child looks unhappy
   • She looked pale after the surgery
9. give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
   • She seems to be sleeping
   • This appears to be a very difficult problem
   • This project looks fishy
   • They appeared like people who had not eaten or slept for a long time
10. perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards
    • She looked over the expanse of land
    • Look at your child!
    • Look--a deer in the backyard!