lookup: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
mediumneutral
Quick answer
What does “lookup” mean?
The act of searching for and retrieving information, typically from a reference source.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of searching for and retrieving information, typically from a reference source.
The computational process of retrieving data associated with a given key (e.g., in databases, programming).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. The two-word verb form ('look up') is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both, associated with efficiency and information retrieval.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to tech industry prevalence, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “lookup” in a Sentence
N/A - Primarily a noun. For the verb form, see 'look up'.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “lookup” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The lookup function is efficient.
- We need a better lookup method.
American English
- The lookup tool is handy.
- It's a simple lookup operation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to checking client details or market data.
Academic
Describes the process of consulting sources or references.
Everyday
Common when talking about checking a word in a dictionary or a contact in a phone.
Technical
A key term in computing for data retrieval operations (e.g., 'hash table lookup').
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “lookup”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lookup”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I will lookup the word' is non-standard; use 'look up').
- Hyphenating it inconsistently (standard is one word as a noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'lookup' as a single word is primarily a noun or adjective (e.g., a lookup table). The action is expressed by the phrasal verb 'look up' (two words).
It is most common in computing, information technology, and reference work, describing the process of retrieving data or information.
The standard form as a noun or adjective is a single word ('lookup'). The hyphenated form 'look-up' is less common and considered a variant.
The most frequent error is using 'lookup' as a verb (e.g., 'I looked it up' becomes incorrectly 'I lookupped it'). The verb is always the two-word phrase 'look up'.
The act of searching for and retrieving information, typically from a reference source.
Lookup is usually neutral in register.
Lookup: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlʊkʌp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlʊkˌʌp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
You LOOK UP at a book on a high shelf to get information. LOOKUP is the act of doing that.
Conceptual Metaphor
INFORMATION IS A STORED OBJECT; RETRIEVING INFORMATION IS FETCHING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard use of 'lookup' as a single word?