look

Look is a versatile English word with several related senses. As a verb, it most commonly means to direct one’s eyes toward something in order to see it, or to appear in a given manner. It is central to numerous phrasal verbs and constructions, such as look at, look for, look after, look into, look up, and look over, which extend its meaning from simple seeing to examining, searching, caring for, or inspecting. The verb can also express evaluation or perception, as in “The plan looks good” or “The house looks old,” depending on context.

As a noun, look denotes the act of looking or the outward appearance of someone or something. It is widely used to refer to a particular style or presentation, as in “a new look” or “a fashion look.” In fashion, media, and design, look often specifies a curated visual appearance or ensemble for a person or character, such as a seasonal look or trend-driven look.

Look also appears in many idioms and fixed expressions related to perception and attention, such as look out (to beware) and look up (to search for information or to improve). The word frequently combines with other terms to form compounds that reflect its varied uses, including overlook (fail to notice or supervise), lookout (a person or place used to watch for danger), and outlook (perspective or forecast). The term’s flexibility makes it central to discourse about vision, appearance, and style.