- look
- I [[t]l'ʊk[/t]]
USING YOUR EYES OR YOUR MIND
♦looks, looking, looked(Please look at category 19 to see if the expression you are looking for is shown under another headword.)1) VERB If you look in a particular direction, you direct your eyes in that direction, especially so that you can see what is there or see what something is like.
[V prep/adv] I looked down the hallway to room number nine...
[V prep/adv] She turned to look at him...
[V prep/adv] He looked away, apparently enraged...
If you look, you'll see what was a lake.
N-SINGLook is also a noun.Lucille took a last look in the mirror... Assisi has a couple of churches that are worth a look if you have time.
2) VERB If you look at a book, newspaper, or magazine, you read it fairly quickly or read part of it.[V at n] You've just got to look at the last bit of Act Three.
N-SING: oft N at nLook is also a noun.A quick look at Monday's British newspapers shows that there's plenty of interest in foreign news.
3) VERB If someone, especially an expert, looks at something, they examine it, and then deal with it or say how it should be dealt with.[V at n] Can you look at my back? I think something's wrong. [Also V]
N-SING: usu N at nLook is also a noun.The car has not been running very well and a mechanic had to come over to have a look at it.
4) VERB If you look at someone in a particular way, you look at them with your expression showing what you are feeling or thinking.[V at n adv/prep] She looked at him earnestly. `You don't mind?'
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft adj N, N of nLook is also a noun.He gave her a blank look, as if he had no idea who she was... Sally spun round, a feigned look of surprise on her face.
5) VERB If you look for something, for example something that you have lost, you try to find it.[V for n] I'm looking for a child. I believe your husband can help me find her...
[V for n] I had gone to Maine looking for a place to work...
[V prep/adv for n] I looked everywhere for ideas...
[V prep/adv] Have you looked on the piano?
Syn:N-SINGLook is also a noun.Go and have another look.
6) VERB If you are looking for something such as the solution to a problem or a new method, you want it and are trying to obtain it or think of it.[V for n] The working group will be looking for practical solutions to the problems faced by doctors...
[V for n] He's looking for a way out from this conflict.
Syn:7) VERB If you look at a subject, problem, or situation, you think about it or study it, so that you know all about it and can perhaps consider what should be done in relation to it.[V at n] Next term we'll be looking at the Second World War period...
[V at n] Anne Holker looks at the pros and cons of making changes to your property...
[V at n] He visited Florida a few years ago looking at the potential of the area to stage a big match.
Syn:examine, considerN-SING: oft N at nLook is also a noun.A close look at the statistics reveals a troubling picture.
8) VERB If you look at a person, situation, or subject from a particular point of view, you judge them or consider them from that point of view.[V at n prep/adv] Brian had learned to look at her with new respect...
[V at n prep/adv] It depends how you look at it.
9) CONVENTION You say look when you want someone to pay attention to you because you are going to say something important.Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it...
Now, look, here is how things stand.
10) VERB: only imper You can use look to draw attention to a particular situation, person, or thing, for example because you find it very surprising, significant, or annoying.[V at n] Hey, look at the time! We'll talk about it tonight. All right?...
[V at n] I mean, look at how many people watch television and how few read books...
[V wh] Look what a mess you've made of your life.
11) VERB If something such as a building or window looks somewhere, it has a view of a particular place.[V prep] The castle looks over private parkland...
[V prep] Each front door looks across a narrow alley to the front door opposite.
Look out means the same as look.V P prep
Nine windows looked out over the sculpture gardens... V P prep We sit on the terrace, which looks out on the sea.12) VERB If you are looking to do something, you are aiming to do it.[V to-inf] We're not looking to make a fortune.
[V to-inf] ...young mums looking to get fit after having kids.
13) PHRASE If you say that someone did something and then never looked back, you mean that they were very successful from that time on. [mainly BRIT]I went freelance when my son Adam was born, and have never looked back.
14) PHRASE: V inflects If you look someone in the eye or look them in the face, you look straight at their eyes in a bold and open way, for example in order to make them realize that you are telling the truth.He could not look her in the eye.
15) PHRASE: V inflects (disapproval) If you say that someone looks the other way, you are critical of them because they pay no attention to something unpleasant that is happening, when they should be dealing with it properly.Judges and politicians routinely looked the other way while people were tortured or killed by police.
16) CONVENTION (feelings) You say look here when you are going to say something important to someone, especially when you are angry at what they have done or said.Now look here, Tim, there really is no need for that kind of reaction.
17) EXCLAM If you say or shout `look out!' to someone, you are warning them that they are in danger.`Look out!' somebody shouted, as the truck started to roll toward the sea.
18) PHRASE: V inflects If someone looks you up and down, they direct their eyes from your head to your feet, in a rude and superior way and often as though they disapprove of you.The sales assistant looked me up and down and told me not to try the dress on because she didn't think I would get into it.
Phrasal Verbs:- look in- look on- look on- look out- look to- look upII [[t]l'ʊk[/t]] APPEARANCE♦looks, looking, looked1) V-LINK You use look when describing the appearance of a person or thing or the impression that they give.[V adj] Sheila was looking miserable...
[V adj] I shall use the money to make my home look lovely...
[V adj] You don't look 15 years old...
[V n] He does not look the most reliable of animals...
[V like n] They look like stars to the naked eye...
[V like/as if] He looked as if he was going to smile...
[V to-inf] Everybody in the club looked to be fourteen years old.
Derived words:-looking COMB in ADJ-GRADEDShe was a very peculiar-looking woman.
2) N-SING: with supp If someone or something has a particular look, they have a particular appearance or expression.She had the look of someone deserted and betrayed...
When he came to decorate the kitchen, Kenneth opted for a friendly rustic look...
To soften a formal look, Caroline recommends ethnic blouses.
Syn:3) N-PLURAL When you refer to someone's looks, you are referring to how beautiful or ugly they are, especially how beautiful they are.I never chose people just because of their looks.
...a young woman with wholesome good looks.
4) V-LINK You use look when indicating what you think will happen in the future or how a situation seems to you.[V adj] He had lots of time to think about the future, and it didn't look good...
[V adj] Britain looks set to send a major force of over 100 tanks and supporting equipment...
[it V like/as if] So far it looks like Warner Brothers' gamble is paying off...
[V like -ing/n] The Europeans had hoped to win, and, indeed, had looked like winning...
[V to-inf] The team had stormed into a two-goal lead and looked to be cruising to a third round place.
5) PHRASE You use expressions such as by the look of him and by the looks of it when you want to indicate that you are giving an opinion based on the appearance of someone or something.He was not a well man by the look of him...
By the look of things, Mr Stone and company will stay busy.
6) PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n If you don't like the look of something or someone, you feel that they may be dangerous or cause problems.I don't like the look of those clouds.
7) PHRASE: V inflects If you ask what someone or something looks like, you are asking for a description of them.
English dictionary. 2008.
