# look at

CEFR A1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/look-at
Updated: 2026-07-27

## Definition

to direct your eyes toward something to see it. You use this when you want to focus your attention on an object or person.

For teachers: to direct one's gaze toward an object or person to perceive it visually. Always takes a direct object.

## Examples

- Please look at the board.
- The students look at the map to find the capital city.
- When you look at the evidence presented, the conclusion becomes difficult to ignore.

## Pitfalls

- Not "look the picture" but "look at the picture" — The verb 'look' is intransitive and requires the preposition 'at' to connect to an object.

## Usage notes

- The phrasal verb is transitive and requires a direct object after the preposition 'at'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.