look
A1 (Top 100 most common English words).All registers (formal, informal, spoken, written).
Definition
Meaning
To direct one's gaze or attention towards something.
To appear or seem in a particular way; to search or investigate; to express a certain feeling through one's expression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it primarily indicates the voluntary act of seeing. It can function as a copular verb (linking verb) meaning 'appear' (e.g., You look tired). It also forms numerous phrasal verbs with significant meaning shifts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Take a look at' is slightly more common in US English; 'have a look at' is more common in UK English. Spelling of derived words (e.g., 'looked', 'looking') is consistent.
Connotations
Neutral and identical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally high-frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
look + at + NPlook + ADJ (copular)look + like + NPlook + as if + clauselook + ADV (manner)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “look before you leap”
- “look daggers at someone”
- “look down your nose at”
- “look the other way”
- “look a gift horse in the mouth”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"We need to look into the quarterly figures." (investigate)
Academic
"The study looks at the long-term effects of the policy." (examines)
Everyday
"Can you look after my bag for a minute?" (take care of)
Technical
"The software looks for patterns in the data." (searches)
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- She had a worried look on her face.
- Let me have a quick look in the manual.
American English
- He gave me a dirty look across the room.
- The car's sleek look is very modern.
verb
British English
- Have a look at this report when you get a moment.
- She looked utterly delighted with the news.
American English
- Take a look at these numbers before the meeting.
- You look really pale—are you feeling okay?
interjection
British English
- Look, I really don't have time for this now.
American English
- Look, we need to talk about what happened yesterday.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Look at that beautiful bird!
- She looks very happy today.
- I'm looking for my keys. Have you seen them?
- It looks like it's going to rain.
- We need to look into alternative solutions for this problem.
- He looked as if he had seen a ghost.
- The author looks at the issue from a postmodernist perspective.
- Investors are looking favourably upon the company's new strategy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cook looking in a book for a recipe. Both 'cook' and 'book' rhyme with 'look'.
Conceptual Metaphor
UNDERSTANDING IS SEEING (e.g., 'I see what you mean', 'Look at it this way'). ATTENTION IS A DIRECTED GAZE (e.g., 'Look here!', 'Focus on this').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'look' (направлять взгляд) with 'see' (видеть, воспринимать).
- Using 'look like' for non-visual similarity (use 'seem like' or 'sound like').
- Overusing 'look' instead of more specific verbs like 'watch', 'stare', 'glance'.
- Misusing prepositions (e.g., 'look to' instead of 'look at').
Common Mistakes
- He looked the picture. (Incorrect: missing 'at') -> He looked at the picture.
- You look like tired. (Incorrect: 'like' before adjective) -> You look tired.
- I look forward to see you. (Incorrect: gerund needed) -> I look forward to seeing you.
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'He looks a reliable person.', what is the error?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Look' is a deliberate action of directing your eyes. 'See' is the passive ability or result of perceiving with your eyes. 'Watch' is to look at something attentively, usually for a period of time (e.g., watch a film, watch a bird).
Use 'look like' before a noun phrase ('She looks like her mother'). Use 'look as if' (or 'look as though') before a clause ('She looks as if she's been crying'). In informal speech, 'look like' is often used with clauses as well.
Yes, when it means 'appear' or 'seem'. In this case, it is followed by an adjective (look tired) or a noun phrase (look a fool), not an adverb. You look great. (Not: look greatly)
It is always followed by a noun or a gerund (-ing form). 'I look forward to your reply.' 'We are looking forward to seeing you.' A common mistake is using the infinitive ('to see') instead of the gerund ('to seeing').
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.