lookout
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a person who is responsible for watching for danger or for something approaching.
a person stationed to keep watch for approaching danger, enemies, or specific events.
Simple“The bank robbers left one man outside to act as a lookout for the police.”
In context“The ship's lookout was the first to spot the distant lights of the harbour through the thick morning fog.”
UsageOften used with the indefinite article 'a'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the act of watching carefully for something, often used in the phrase 'on the lookout'.
the act or state of keeping a systematic watch for someone or something.
Simple“You should be on the lookout for a blue car parked near the entrance.”
In context“Security teams remained on the lookout for any suspicious activity during the high-profile political summit.”
UsageCommonly appears in the idiomatic phrase 'on the lookout for'.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
a high place where you can see a long way, like a balcony or a hill.
an elevated place or structure that affords a wide view of the surrounding area.
Simple“We stopped at a mountain lookout to take photos of the valley below.”
In context“The coastal lookout provided the rangers with an unobstructed view of the migrating whale pods.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
your own problem or responsibility.
an individual's personal concern, prospect, or responsibility.
Simple“If he chooses to ignore the warning, that is his lookout.”
In context“The manager made it clear that if the staff failed to meet the deadline, it would be their own lookout during the performance review.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is primarily British and can sound slightly dismissive or cold.
“Japanese media report a lookout had signalled the workers were clear of the tracks.”
Deverbal from look out.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.