lookout: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral; common in everyday speech, nautical, and safety contexts. 'That's your lookout' is informal.
Quick answer
What does “lookout” mean?
A person who is stationed to keep watch, especially for danger or for a specific arrival, or the act of keeping such a watch.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is stationed to keep watch, especially for danger or for a specific arrival, or the act of keeping such a watch.
A place from which such a watch is kept; also, used in expressions to mean one's own concern or responsibility (e.g., 'that's your lookout').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use all senses. The 'personal responsibility' sense (e.g., 'that's your lookout') is more common in British English.
Connotations
In both, 'lookout' implies vigilance for danger or arrival. In US English, 'lookout point' or 'overlook' is common for a scenic viewing spot; UK might use 'viewpoint'.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both dialects, though the scenic sense is more developed in American toponymy.
Grammar
How to Use “lookout” in a Sentence
be on the lookout for Nkeep a lookout (for N)stand lookoutbe N's lookoutVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lookout” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
American English
- Not applicable as an adjective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'We need to be on the lookout for new market trends.'
Academic
Rare; used in historical/military contexts describing sentry duty.
Everyday
Common: 'I'll keep a lookout for the postman.' or 'If you want to risk it, that's your lookout.'
Technical
Used in maritime, aviation, and forestry (fire lookout).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lookout”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “lookout”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lookout”
- Confusing 'lookout' (noun) with phrasal verb 'look out' (verb). Incorrect: *'He lookouts for danger.' Correct: 'He is a lookout.' or 'He looks out for danger.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is one word when used as a noun (a person/place) or in idioms. The verb phrase is two words: 'look out'.
A lookout is primarily the person or the activity; a watchtower is the physical structure. However, 'lookout' can informally refer to the place (e.g., 'a mountain lookout').
It can sound dismissive or unsympathetic, implying the speaker won't take responsibility for another person's potential problems. It's informal and context-dependent.
Yes, especially in American English (e.g., 'Sunset Lookout'). It derives from the fact that such places are good for looking out over a landscape.
A person who is stationed to keep watch, especially for danger or for a specific arrival, or the act of keeping such a watch.
Lookout is usually neutral; common in everyday speech, nautical, and safety contexts. 'that's your lookout' is informal. in register.
Lookout: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlʊkaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlʊkˌaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on the lookout (for)”
- “that's your (own) lookout”
- “keep a sharp lookout”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
LOOK + OUT: you look out of a window or from a high place to be a LOOKOUT.
Conceptual Metaphor
VIGILANCE IS A HIGH VANTAGE POINT (e.g., 'keeping a lookout'), RESPONSIBILITY IS A WATCHED AREA (e.g., 'that's your lookout').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'lookout' correctly?