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look

v. · n. · interj.
US //ˈɫʊk// UK //lˈʊk// look
  1. 1 to use your eyes (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to turn your eyes toward something so that you can see it.

    to direct one's gaze in a particular direction. Intransitive; typically requires the preposition 'at' to take an object.

    Example

    Look at the map to see where the museum is located.

    Example

    If you look closely at the brushwork, you can see the artist's signature hidden in the shadows of the lower-left corner.
    Pitfall
    I am looking the television.
    I am looking at the television.

    When 'look' has an object, you must use the preposition 'at'.

  2. 2 to appear or seem (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to have a particular appearance or give a certain impression.

    to have a specified appearance; functions as a copular verb followed by an adjective or 'like' + noun.

    Example

    You look tired today; did you get enough sleep last night?

    Example

    The old manor house looks quite imposing in the moonlight, though it is actually much smaller than the photographs suggest.
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  1. 3 to search (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to try to find something or someone.

    to search for something. Intransitive; almost always used with the preposition 'for'.

    Example

    I am looking for my keys; have you seen them anywhere?

    Example

    The investigators spent several hours looking for evidence in the garden, but the heavy rain had washed away any potential footprints.
  2. 4 an act of seeing (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the act of using your eyes to check or examine something.

    an instance of directing one's gaze; a brief examination or inspection.

    Example

    Let me have a look at your phone to see if I can fix the problem.

    Example

    After a quick look at the financial reports, the manager decided to postpone the expansion until the following quarter.
  3. 5 physical appearance (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the way someone or something looks, especially their style or beauty.

    the appearance or style of a person or thing. Often used in the plural to refer to physical attractiveness.

    Example

    She has a very modern look with her short hair and bright clothes.

    Example

    The actor relied on his good looks early in his career, but he eventually proved his talent through more demanding dramatic roles.
  4. 6 pay attention (interj.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    a word used to make someone listen to what you are saying.

    used to call attention to what the speaker is about to say, often to express a point clearly or firmly.

    Example

    Look, I don't want to argue, but we need to make a decision now.

    Example

    Look, if we don't address the budget deficit this month, we won't be able to afford the new equipment in January.
Origin

From Middle English loken, lokien, from Old English lōcian, from Proto-West Germanic lōkōn. Further origin unknown, no certain cognates outside Germanic. Cognate with Scots luke, luik, leuk (“to look, see”), West Frisian lôkje, loaitsje (“to look”), Dutch loeken (“to look”), German Low German löken. Likely also related to German lugen (“to peek”), Alemannic German luege (“to look”), Yiddish לוגן (lugn). Possibly related to Sanskrit लोक् (lok, “to see, behold”) (from Proto-Indo-European lewk- (“light”) in the sense of "illuminating" (cf. related word रुच् (ruc) "to shine, illuminate")).

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