lookout
/ˈlʊkaʊt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlʊkaʊt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlu̇k-ˌau̇t/ (ame, mw)
lookout — noun
- lookoutsingular
- lookoutsplural
1. a person whose job or duty is to watch carefully for danger, an approaching enem
a person whose job or duty is to watch carefully for danger, an approaching enemy, or an expected person or thing, and to warn others if anything happens
The ship's lookout spotted a whale off the starboard side and called the captain at once.
collocation: ship's lookout / tower lookout
Omar volunteered to be the lookout while the others carried the boxes out of the building.
The forest lookout radioed the fire station when she saw smoke rising above the valley.
The night lookout at the construction site heard a strange noise and called the security guard.
文法句型
lookout + for [something]
用法筆記
Often used with a modifier describing the location or purpose — e.g. ship's lookout, fire lookout, mountain lookout. Frequently followed by the preposition 'for' to specify what is being watched.
常見錯誤
2. a high place or structure, such as a tower or a spot on a hill, from which peopl
a high place or structure, such as a tower or a spot on a hill, from which people can watch a wide area for danger, approaching enemies, or interesting activity below
From the lookout at the top of the hill, the rangers could see the whole valley and any approaching weather.
The national park built a wooden lookout tower so visitors could watch birds without disturbing them.
collocation: lookout tower
Yuki climbed the stone lookout and scanned the coastline for any sign of the missing boat.
Bilal climbed the old fire lookout tower to get a better view of the forest fire.
- observation post
more formal and often military; suggests an official position
- watchtower
a tall tower specifically built for keeping watch, often with walls or a roof
文法句型
lookout + over [area]
lookout + for [danger]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (SCENIC VIEW): this sense emphasises safety and surveillance, while sense 3 is about enjoying a beautiful landscape. A lookout tower or station is usually built for practical monitoring rather than recreation.
3. a place, often along a road or on a hilltop, where people pause to admire pleasa
a place, often along a road or on a hilltop, where people pause to admire pleasant scenery like mountains, ocean views, or forests
Constanza pulled the car over at a lookout on the coastal highway to watch the sun set over the ocean.
collocation: coastal lookout / scenic lookout
The map showed three lookouts along the mountain road where drivers could stop for photographs.
Quinn took a picnic lunch up to the rocky lookout and spent the afternoon drawing the landscape.
Lucía stopped the rental car at every scenic lookout along the coastal highway to take pictures.
- viewpoint
more common in British English; can be natural or man-made
- overlook
American English term for a scenic stopping point, often with a parking area
- observation deck
usually a platform built specifically for tourists to get a view
文法句型
lookout + over [landscape]
用法筆記
Common in travel guides and road signage. This sense is purely recreational — there is no element of danger or surveillance as in senses 1 and 2.
4. the state of actively searching for someone or something, or watching carefully
the state of actively searching for someone or something, or watching carefully for something to happen — almost always used in the fixed phrase 'on the lookout (for)'
Sahil is always on the lookout for unusual vinyl records at charity shops and flea markets.
fixed phrase: on the lookout for [something]
The neighbourhood watch group asked everyone to be on the lookout for suspicious activity after dark.
Adisa stayed on the lookout for a better job while he worked in the warehouse.
Diya told her classmates to be on the lookout for grammar mistakes before they handed in their essays.
文法句型
on the lookout for [something]
用法筆記
Always used within the prepositional phrase 'on the lookout' followed by 'for'. Common modifiers include 'be', 'stay', 'remain', and 'keep'. Unlike sense 5, this sense emphasises intentional searching rather than continuous vigilance.
常見錯誤
5. the activity of watching carefully and continuously for danger, trouble, or an e
the activity of watching carefully and continuously for danger, trouble, or an expected event — almost always used in the fixed phrase 'keep a lookout (for)'
Lucas asked his little sister to keep a lookout for the ice cream truck while he ran inside for money.
fixed phrase: keep a lookout (for)
The lifeguards kept a sharp lookout for swimmers who drifted too close to the rocky area of the beach.
collocation: sharp lookout / careful lookout
Yael told the children to keep a lookout while she set up the tent in the fading evening light.
The park ranger asked the campers to keep a lookout for bears near the rubbish bins at dusk.
- vigilance
more formal noun; describes the quality of being watchful rather than the action
文法句型
keep a lookout (for [something])
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4 (ON THE LOOKOUT): 'keep a lookout' emphasises continuous, ongoing vigilance (watching for a period of time), while 'on the lookout' can describe a general state or intention. 'Keep a lookout' is often used when someone is assigned a temporary watching duty.
lookout — verb
- lookoutpresent simple I / you / we / they
- lookouts3rd person singular
- lookouting-ing form
- lookoutedpast simple
1. to take care of yourself or someone else by watching for danger and protecting a
to take care of yourself or someone else by watching for danger and protecting against harm; to act in a way that considers your own or another person's safety and well-being
Anthony learned to look out for himself after he moved to the city alone at the age of eighteen.
phrasal pattern: look out for [oneself]
Older students in the programme are supposed to look out for the new arrivals during their first week.
The older fisherman always looked out for the younger crew members when the weather turned rough.
Emre promised to look out for his grandmother when she visited the busy city for the first time.
- protect
stronger and more direct; implies taking active measures to prevent harm
- watch over
similar but emphasises supervision rather than protection
- care for
broader; includes emotional support and meeting needs, not just safety
文法句型
look out for [someone/something]
用法筆記
This sense is inseparable from the phrasal verb 'look out for'. The object (someone or something you protect) must follow the phrase directly — the particle 'for' cannot be separated. Compare 'look out!' (warning cry) which is a different phrasal verb meaning to be alert to immediate danger.