Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of searching visually: The action of using one's eyes to find or examine something.
   • The act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually: The act of turning one's gaze to see and observe something.

2. Adjective:

   • Appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms: Having a particular appearance, often used in combination with another word (e.g., a hyphenated compound) to describe how someone or something seems.

Examples

• Noun:

  • His looking was intense as he scanned the horizon for the ship.
  • A quick looking around the room confirmed she was alone.

• Adjective (in compound forms):

  • The angry-looking storm clouds gathered overhead.
  • She lived in a quaint, old-looking cottage.
  • He was a fierce-looking man, but had a gentle voice.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on the looking": An archaic or less common phrase meaning to be engaged in the act of looking or searching.
  • He was ever on the looking for new opportunities.
• The adjective form is almost exclusively used in hyphenated compounds preceding a noun (e.g., , ).

Variants and Related Words

• Look (n/v): The base form. As a noun: an instance of looking, an expression, or appearance. As a verb: to direct one's gaze.
• Looker (n): A person who looks; (informal) an attractive person.
• Looking glass (n): A mirror.

Synonyms

• Noun: Gazing, scanning, searching, observing, viewing.
• Adjective (in context): Appearing, seeming.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Look for: To search for or seek.
  • I am looking for my keys.
• Look after: To take care of.
  • Can you look after my dog?
• Look into: To investigate or examine.
  • The police will look into the matter.

Related Idioms

• Looking like a million dollars: Appearing extremely attractive or stylish.
  • She walked into the party looking like a million dollars.
• Be looking at (something): To be considering or facing a particular situation.
  • If you fail the test, you're looking at summer school.

Noun

1. the act of searching visually
2. 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

Adjective

1. appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms
   • left their clothes dirty looking
   • a most disagreeable looking character
   • angry-looking
   • liquid-looking
   • severe-looking policemen on noble horses
   • fine-sounding phrases
   • taken in by high-sounding talk