Definition of "look" in English

verb

1. To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.

2. To appear, to seem.

   • It looks as if it’s going to rain soon. or It looks like it’s going to rain soon. or It looks like rain [is coming].
   • Our new boss looks to be friendly.
   • It looks as if [or like] I'm stuck with you.
   • You didn't use to look so dismal, but now you look/are looking positively unhappy.
   • (UK) He always looks like scoring a goal if not two.

3. (copulative) To give an appearance of being.

   • That painting looks nice.
   • You’re looking worried. Whaddya thinking about?
   • You looked a fool when you slipped on a banana peel.

4. (intransitive, often with "for") To search for, to try to find.

5. To face or present a view.

   • The hotel looks over the valleys of the Hindu Kush.
   • 1769, Benjamin Blayney (editor), King James Bible, Oxford standard text, Ezekiel, xi, 1, Moreover the spirit lifted me up, and brought me unto the east gate of the LORD's house, which looketh eastward:

6. To expect or anticipate.

   • I look to each hour for my lover’s arrival.
   • 1596, Edmund Spenser, The Fairie Queene, Book VI, Canto XI, 1750, The Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 4, page 139,

7. (transitive) To express or manifest by a look.

8. (transitive, often with "to") To make sure of, to see to.

9. (dated, sometimes figurative) To show oneself in looking.

   • Look out of the window [i.e. lean out] while I speak to you.

10. (transitive, archaic or dialectal) To check, to make sure (of something).

11. (transitive, obsolete) To look at; to turn the eyes toward.

12. (transitive, obsolete) To seek; to search for.

    • c. 1552–1599, Edmund Spenser, unidentified sonnet, Looking my love, I go from place to place, Like a young fawn that late hath lost the hind; And seek each where, where last I saw her face, Whose image yet I carry fresh in mind.

13. (transitive, obsolete) To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence.

    • to look down opposition
    • 1692, John Dryden, Cleomenes the Spartan Hero, a Tragedy, Act 3, Scene 1, 1701, The Comedies, Tragedies, and Operas Written by John Dryden, Esq, Volume 2, page 464, A Spirit fit to start into an Empire, And look the World to Law.

14. (baseball) To look at a pitch as a batter without swinging at it.