look
look
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "look" is /lʊk/.
/lʊk/
Word Form Variations
Verb: look (base form), looks (third person singular present), looking (present participle), looked (past simple, past participle)
Noun: look (singular), looks (plural)
Adjective: (No direct adjective form; "looking" can function adjectivally, e.g., "good-looking")
Interjection: look!
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
Definition 1: To direct one's gaze toward something or someone in order to see.
Synonyms: gaze, stare, peer, glance, behold, observe, see
Antonyms: ignore, disregard, avert, overlook, miss
Definition 2: To appear to be; to seem.
Synonyms: seem, appear, resemble, feel (like)
Antonyms: contradict, belie, be (as in actual state)
Definition 3: To examine or search for something or someone.
Synonyms: search, seek, hunt, inspect, investigate, examine
Antonyms: find, locate, discover, neglect, overlook
Definition 4: To face or be oriented in a particular direction.
Synonyms: face, front, point, orient
Antonyms: back (to), turn away (from)
Definition 5: (Followed by "forward to" or "back on") To anticipate with pleasure or to reflect on past events.
Synonyms: anticipate, expect, hope for; reflect on, recall
Antonyms: dread, fear; forget, dismiss
Noun
Definition 1: An act of looking or seeing; a gaze or glance.
Synonyms: glance, gaze, peek, glimpse, view, sight
Antonyms: blindness, oversight, inattention
Definition 2: The appearance or expression of someone or something.
Synonyms: appearance, expression, aspect, countenance, demeanor
Antonyms: reality, substance, true nature
Definition 3: (Often plural "looks") Physical appearance, especially when attractive.
Synonyms: appearance, beauty, attractiveness, features
Antonyms: ugliness, unattractiveness, plainness
Definition 4: A particular style or fashion.
Synonyms: style, fashion, trend, vogue, aesthetic
Antonyms: classic (if contrasting with trend), timeless, unfashionable
Definition 5: A search or investigation.
Synonyms: search, hunt, quest, investigation, inspection
Antonyms: discovery, finding, neglect
Interjection
Definition 1: Used to draw attention to something or to express surprise.
Synonyms: behold, lo, see, hey (informal)
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, as it's a call to attention)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She gave him a searching look, trying to discern the truth behind his evasive answer." (Fictional example from a mystery or drama novel)
"The ancient ruins look majestic under the moonlight, evoking a sense of timeless grandeur." (From a travelogue or descriptive non-fiction book)
"To understand the complex data, one must look beyond the surface numbers and analyze the underlying trends." (From an academic text on statistics or data analysis)
Newspapers:
"Analysts look for signs of economic recovery as inflation rates begin to stabilize." ("Business Daily Africa,")
"The new fashion look for spring features bold patterns and sustainable fabrics." ("The Standard,")
"The parliamentary committee will look into allegations of corruption within the ministry." ("Daily Nation,")
Online Publications:
"How to look confident even when you're feeling nervous: Expert tips for public speaking." (An article on a self-improvement blog, e.g., "Forbes.com,")
"Our latest photo gallery gives you a first look at the upcoming electric vehicles." (A news feature on an automotive website, e.g., "Car and Driver Online,")
"The website's clean design offers a modern and intuitive look and feel." (A web design review on "Smashing Magazine,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "Here's looking at you, kid." (Humphrey Bogart as Rick Blaine in Casablanca, 1942)
Television Series: "Look out! He's got a gun!" (Common urgent dialogue in an action or crime show, e.g., NCIS)
Song Lyrics: "Look at the stars, look how they shine for you." (From Coldplay's song "Yellow," 2000)
Video Games: "You need to look for clues in the abandoned mansion to solve the mystery." (In-game instruction or objective, e.g., Resident Evil)
Podcasts: "Look, I'm not saying it's aliens, but I'm not saying it's not aliens either." (A podcast host using "look" as a conversational marker, e.g., "The Official Podcast")
General Public Discourse:
"Look! There's a rainbow!" (An exclamation to draw attention)
"Do I look tired today?" (A personal question about appearance)
"I need to look up the train schedule for tomorrow." (A statement about seeking information)
"Let's look at the bright side of things." (A suggestion for a positive outlook)
"The children look forward to their holiday break every year." (Describing anticipation)
"Give me a minute, I need to take a quick look at this document." (A casual request for a brief review)
10 Famous Quotes Using Look
“Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus. Look with your mind.” – Mark Twain
“When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
“Don’t look back. You’re not going that way.” – Mary Engelbreit
“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up. Look for someone who needs you.” – Mark Twain
“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.” – Jesse Jackson
“Look for the woman in the dress. If there is no woman, there is no dress.” – Coco Chanel
“When you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more.” – Oprah Winfrey
“The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” – Winston Churchill
“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounged around doing nothing; it’s when you had everything to do, and you did it.” – Margaret Thatcher
Etymology
The word "look" has its roots in Old English.
It comes from the Old English word lōcian, which meant "to see," "to gaze," "to behold," or "to direct one's eyes."
This Old English word is related to similar words in other Germanic languages, like Old High German luogēn (meaning "to look closely at").
The first known use of "look" in English, with the meaning of "to direct one's gaze in order to see," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). So, it's a very ancient and fundamental verb in the language.
Over time, the word expanded to include other related meanings: "to appear or seem" (e.g., "you look tired"), "to search" (e.g., "look for your keys"), and also became a noun referring to "an act of looking" or "an appearance" (e.g., "a worried look," "a new look"). All these meanings are built upon the core idea of visual perception or appearance.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Look
Look out! (Interjection) A warning to be careful or beware of danger.
Look up to (someone): To admire or respect someone.
Look down on (someone): To consider someone inferior; to disdain.
Look into (something): To investigate or examine something.
Look for (something/someone): To search for something or someone.
Look after (someone/something): To take care of someone or something.
Look before you leap: Think carefully before acting.
Look on the bright side: To focus on the positive aspects of a situation.
Look sharp! (Informal command) To hurry or be quick; to appear smart and alert.
A dirty look: A look of anger, disapproval, or contempt.
To give someone the evil eye: To look at someone in a way that suggests ill will or bad luck. (Synonym for a "mean look")
To look daggers at someone: To look at someone with great anger or hostility.
Look a gift horse in the mouth: To criticize or find fault with a gift or something received for free.
By the looks of it: Judging by appearances or available evidence.
The look in one's eye: The expression in someone's eyes, revealing their feelings or intentions.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of look from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
