looked; looking; looks
1
: to make sure or take care (that something is done)
censor to look that no man lived idly—
Edward Gee
Edward Gee2
: to ascertain by the use of one's eyes
look what I brought you
3
a
: to exercise the power of vision upon : examine
b
archaic
: to search for
4
a
: expect, anticipate
we look to have a good year
b
: to have in mind as an end
looking to win back some lost profits
5
archaic
: to bring into a place or condition by the exercise of the power of vision
6
: to express by the eyes or facial expression
the friar looked his surprise—Robert Brennan
Robert Brennan7
: to have an appearance that befits or accords with
looks her age
1
a
: to exercise the power of vision : see
b
: to direct one's attention
look upon the future with hope
look at the map
c
: to direct the eyes
looked up from the newspaper
2
: to have the appearance or likelihood of being : seem
it looks unlikely
looks to be hard work
3
: to have a specified outlook
the house looked east
4
: to gaze in wonder or surprise : stare
5
: to show a tendency
the evidence looks to acquittal
2
a
: the expression of the countenance
b
: physical appearance
especially
: attractive physical appearance
—usually used in plural
c
: a combination of design features giving a unified appearance
a new look in women's fashions
3
: the state or form in which something appears
Phrases
look after
: to take care of
looked after her sick mother
1
: consider sense 1
looking at the possibility of relocating
: to view something with arrogance, disdain, or disapproval
writers who look down their noses at popular culture
1
: to await with hope or anticipation
You can look for me to arrive at noon.
2
: to search for : seek
looking for a new car
: to anticipate with pleasure or satisfaction
looking forward to your visit
: explore sense 1a
Investigators are looking into the cause of the accident.
: to direct one's attention away from something unpleasant or troublesome
We can't just look the other way while these violations of human rights continue to occur.
1
: to direct one's attention to
looking to the future
2
: to rely upon
looks to reading for relaxation
Synonyms
Examples of look in a Sentence
Verb
He looked straight ahead and kept walking.
When you take a walk, look around you.
She smiled at me and then looked away.
He looked back the way he had come.
Look both ways before you cross the street.
When I finally reached the top I was afraid to look down.
She looked from one person to the next.
They looked off into the distance.
He was looking over his shoulder.
Her new haircut makes her look young.
Noun
I don't think you left it here, but I'll take a look around for it.
I took a quick look, but he wasn't there.
Recent Examples on the Web
Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The meal looks homemade and delicious, and Srisatta finishes all of it well within his 15-minute window.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Sam Escobar, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
The streamer has renewed the drama for season two, while also setting a premiere date and offering up a first look at the inaugural run.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for look 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
Grumet:Wintry blast hit even harder for Austin's homeless residents impacted by sweeps
For anyone looking to register for overnight shelter, visit the One Texas Center at 505 Barton Springs Road from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday evening.
—Skye Seipp, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
The meal looks homemade and delicious, and Srisatta finishes all of it well within his 15-minute window.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
This edgy look works great for someone who wants to make their face look a bit more angular, Simmonds says, as its shorter length adds width and balance to long or oval-shaped faces.
—Sam Escobar, Allure, 23 Nov. 2024
The streamer has renewed the drama for season two, while also setting a premiere date and offering up a first look at the inaugural run.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for look
Articles Related to look
Dictionary Entries Near look
Cite this Entry
“Look.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/look. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
look
1 of 2 verb1
: to exercise the power of vision : see
2
: to express by the eyes or by an expression of the face
3
a
: to have an appearance that is suitable for
looks her age
b
: seem sense 1
it looks dangerous
4
: to direct one's attention or eyes
look in the mirror
5
: point entry 2 sense 4, face
the house looks east
look
2 of 2 noun1
a
: the act of looking
2
a
: the expression of the face
b
: physical appearance
especially
: attractive physical appearance
—usually used in plural
3
: the state or form in which something appears : aspect
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