look
/lʊk/ (bre, ipa) · /lʊk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlu̇k/ (ame, mw)
look — verb
- lookpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lookshe / she / it
- lookedpast simple
- looking-ing form
1. to move your eyes and point them at someone or something so that you can see the
to move your eyes and point them at someone or something so that you can see them
Felix looked at the big clock on the wall.
look at + noun phrase
Maja looked out of the window at the birds in the garden.
The little girl looked under her bed but found only an old shoe.
Trang looked up from her book when the phone rang loudly.
Rodrigo looked through the window and saw his friend waiting outside.
- ignore
to deliberately not look
文法句型
look + preposition (at, into, through, out of, etc.)
用法筆記
Unlike 'see', which describes the ability to perceive, 'look' describes the deliberate act of directing the eyes. Frequently followed by a preposition such as 'at', 'into', 'through', or 'out of'.
常見錯誤
2. to search for someone or something that you need or want to find
to search for someone or something that you need or want to find
Tanvi looked for her car keys in every room of the house.
look for + noun (searching)
Jason is looking for a job in the city near the train station.
Min looked through the pile of papers on her desk for the missing receipt.
The Watanabe family is looking for a new apartment with three bedrooms.
Eitan looked everywhere for his cat before finding it asleep in the closet.
文法句型
look for + noun
用法筆記
Almost always used with the preposition 'for' to introduce the thing or person being searched for. The phrasal verb 'look for' is equivalent to 'search for' but is more common in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
3. to show a particular quality or state that people notice through sight, for exam
to show a particular quality or state that people notice through sight, for example that someone looks tired or that a place looks nice
The soup looks delicious; did you add any special spices to it?
look + adjective
Astrid looked tired after working all night on the science project.
The old wooden house looked as if no one had lived there for years.
That jacket looks like it belongs to someone much younger than you.
Zola looked happy when she saw the birthday cake her friends had brought.
文法句型
look + adjective
look like + noun/clause
look as if/as though + clause
用法筆記
Functions as a linking verb, similar to 'seem' or 'appear'. When followed by an adjective ('look tired'), the adjective describes the subject, not the action. 'Look like' introduces a noun or clause, while 'look as if/as though' introduces a full clause.
常見錯誤
4. to be positioned so that the front part is directed toward a particular directio
to be positioned so that the front part is directed toward a particular direction or place
The hotel room looks out over the blue ocean and the sandy beach.
look out over + noun
The bedroom window looks onto a small garden full of roses.
The back of the house looks toward the forest behind the hill.
Our office looks east, so the morning sun comes through the windows.
文法句型
look + adverb/preposition of direction (east, west, onto, over, etc.)
用法筆記
Used for buildings, rooms, windows, or vehicles to describe their orientation. The subject is always an inanimate object, not a person.
常見錯誤
5. used as a command to warn someone of danger or to ask them to notice something i
used as a command to warn someone of danger or to ask them to notice something important
"Look where you are going!" the woman shouted as the boy ran across the road.
imperative: Look + wh-clause
"Look, I have told you three times already — I do not know where your phone is."
"Look out!" Michael yelled when he saw the car coming too fast toward them.
"Look, if we do not leave now, we will miss the last train," said Trang.
文法句型
imperative: Look!
Look + wh-clause
用法筆記
Used at the beginning of a sentence to grab attention or show frustration. 'Look' and 'Look here' are more common in British English, while 'Look' alone is common in all varieties.
6. to have the intention of doing something in the near future; to aim or plan to d
to have the intention of doing something in the near future; to aim or plan to do something
The technology company is looking to hire more software engineers this year.
look to + infinitive (planning)
Walid looked to expand his small business into new markets across Asia.
Many young families are looking to buy their first home in the suburbs.
The government is looking to reduce plastic waste by introducing new recycling rules.
文法句型
look to + infinitive
用法筆記
Followed by a to-infinitive. More formal than 'plan to' or 'aim to'. Common in business and formal writing.
常見錯誤
7. to take responsibility for dealing with something that needs attention; to inves
to take responsibility for dealing with something that needs attention; to investigate or handle a matter
The committee will look into the complaint and report back next month.
look into + noun (investigate)
The social worker is looking to the needs of elderly people in the neighborhood.
The school principal promised to look into the problem of bullying in the playground.
We need someone to look to the maintenance of the building while the owner is away.
- investigate
more formal; suggests a systematic inquiry
- handle
less formal; suggests taking charge of a situation
- deal with
common in both speech and writing
文法句型
look into + noun
look to + noun
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'look into' means 'investigate' and is very common. 'Look to' in this sense means 'attend to' or 'take care of' and is more formal.
常見錯誤
look — noun
- looksingular
- looksplural
1. an act of using your eyes to see someone or something, especially for a short ti
an act of using your eyes to see someone or something, especially for a short time
Felix took a quick look at his watch and realized he was late.
take a look at + noun
Can I have a look at your new camera? It looks very nice.
have a look at + noun
The doctor took one look at the wound and knew it needed stitches.
Maja had a quick look at the menu before deciding what to order.
文法句型
have/take a look at + noun
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrases 'take a look' and 'have a look', which are followed by 'at' to introduce the object seen.
常見錯誤
2. the action of searching for a person or thing that you have lost or need
the action of searching for a person or thing that you have lost or need
Tanvi had a look for her glasses but could not find them anywhere.
have a look for + noun
The police had a look around the neighborhood for the missing dog.
Jason had a quick look through the cupboard for some sugar.
We should have another look for the key before calling the locksmith.
文法句型
have a look for + noun
用法筆記
Common in the phrases 'have a look for' or 'have a look around'. The preposition changes depending on the scope of the search ('for' specifies the target; 'around' specifies the area).
3. the way someone's face shows their feelings, mood, or attitude at a particular m
the way someone's face shows their feelings, mood, or attitude at a particular moment
When Eitan heard the news, a worried look appeared on his face.
a ... look (facial expression)
The teacher gave the noisy students a stern look that made them quiet.
Rodrigo had a look of pure joy when he saw his family at the airport.
Zola's look of surprise told us she had not expected the gift at all.
- expression
broader; can refer to the face or voice
- face
informal; 'the look on his face' vs 'his face'
文法句型
a/an + adjective + look + on + face
a look of + emotion
用法筆記
When describing the expression itself, use 'a ... look on someone's face'. When describing the emotion, use 'a look of + emotion'.
常見錯誤
4. a particular style, design, or fashion that something has, especially in clothin
a particular style, design, or fashion that something has, especially in clothing, decoration, or architecture
The new restaurant has a modern look with white walls and metal chairs.
has a ... look (style)
Astrid wanted a vintage look for her wedding, so she chose an old-fashioned dress.
The company changed the look of their logo to attract younger customers.
This season the casual look is very popular among college students in Taipei.
文法句型
a/an + adjective + look
用法筆記
Often modified by an adjective describing the design aesthetic ('modern', 'vintage', 'casual', 'classic'). 'The look' can also refer to a general fashion trend.
5. the way someone or something appears to other people visually
the way someone or something appears to other people visually
The old building had a tired look, with paint peeling off the walls.
the ... look (appearance of thing)
Min's garden has a beautiful look in spring when all the flowers bloom.
From the look of the dark clouds, it is going to rain very soon.
The cake had a strange look, so nobody wanted to try even a small piece.
- appearance
slightly more formal; can include non-visual impressions
- aspect
more formal and literary
文法句型
the look of + noun
by/from the look of + noun
用法筆記
The phrase 'by the look of' or 'from the look of' is used to make a judgment based on visual evidence: 'From the look of the sky, it will rain.'
常見錯誤
6. the way a person looks physically, with the focus on how beautiful or handsome t
the way a person looks physically, with the focus on how beautiful or handsome they are
Trang has kept her good looks even into her fifties.
good looks
Michael got his looks from his mother's side of the family.
looks (plural, physical appearance)
The actor is famous for his striking looks rather than his acting skills.
Zola cares more about kindness and honesty than about looks.
- appearance
more general; includes style, dress, and physical features
- beauty
stronger; implies a high degree of attractiveness
文法句型
looks
good looks
用法筆記
Always plural ('looks') when referring to a person's physical attractiveness. 'Good looks' is the most common positive collocation. The singular 'look' in this sense would sound unnatural.
常見錯誤
7. an act of carefully thinking about or examining a situation, problem, or piece o
an act of carefully thinking about or examining a situation, problem, or piece of work
The city council is taking a close look at the plan to build a new park.
take a close look at + noun (examine)
We need to have a look at why so many students are leaving the program.
The committee took a hard look at the budget before making any decisions.
Scientists are having another look at the data from last year's experiments.
- examination
more formal; suggests a systematic inspection
- review
suggests going over something again
- inspection
suggests checking against a standard
文法句型
take/have a look at + noun (figurative, = examine)
用法筆記
Used figuratively, not involving actual sight. Common with adjectives like 'close', 'hard', or 'critical' to indicate the depth of the examination.
look — exclamation
1. said when you are annoyed or upset and you want someone to pay attention to your
said when you are annoyed or upset and you want someone to pay attention to your complaint or objection
"Look, I have had enough of your excuses," the manager said angrily.
interjection expressing anger
"Look, can we please talk about this another time?" asked Astrid.
"Look, that is my seat," the woman said to the man sitting in it.
"Look, I do not have time for this right now," said Michael, walking away.
文法句型
Look! (introducing a complaint or objection)
用法筆記
Placed at the beginning of a sentence to signal frustration or impatience. Stronger than 'hey' and often used when the speaker has already tried to make their point politely.