Look up word using definition

look up vb (adverb)

1. (transitive) to discover (something required to be known) by resorting to a work of reference, such as a dictionary
2. (intransitive) to increase, as in quality or value: things are looking up
3. (intransitive) followed by to: to have respect (for): I’ve always wanted a girlfriend I could look up to
4. (transitive) to visit or make contact with (a person): I’ll look you up when I’m in town

look /lʊk/USA pronunciation  
v. 

1. to turn one’s eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see: [~ + at]I’m looking at this book.[no object]She looked out the window.
2. to use one’s sight in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.:[no object]to look through the papers.
3. to appear to the eye as specified:[~ + adjective]You look pale.

See look like below.

4. to appear to the mind;
   seem: [~ + adjective]Things are looking pretty grim.[~ + noun]He looked a perfect fool.

See look like below.

5. to direct attention or consideration:[~ + at]Let’s look at the facts.
6. to face or give a view:[not: be + ~-ing* no object]The room looks on the garden.
7. to give (someone) a look:[~ + object]Can you look me in the eye and say that?
8. to have an appearance appropriate to or that fits (one’s age, circumstances, etc.):[~ + object]began to look his age.
9. (used in the imperative form, and sometimes followed by a word like «who, what, when, where, how» etc.) to observe or pay attention to: [~ + object]Now look what you’ve done! Look how beautifully he skates.[no object]Look, I’m tired of this![~ + at]Look at what’s happened.
10. look after, [~ + after + object] to take care of:a babysitter to look after the kids.
11. look ahead, [no object] to think about or plan for the future:Our leaders have to look ahead.
12. look back, [no object]
    • to review past events:looking back to his childhood.
    • never look back, to have great success:started her own business and never looked back.

13. look down on or upon, [~ + down + on/upon + object] to regard with a feeling of superiority or contempt.
14. look for, [~ + for + object]
    • to seek;
      search for:I’ve been looking for you.
    • to anticipate;
      expect:I’ll look for you at the reception.

15. look forward to, [~ + forward + object] to anticipate with eagerness or pleasure:She’s looking forward to working here.
16. look in (on), [~ + in + (on) + object] to visit briefly:The doctor looked in on her patient.
17. look into, [~ + into + object] to inquire into;
    investigate;
    examine:The detective was looking into the kidnapping.
18. look like, [not: be + ~-ing]
    • [~ + object] to resemble:She looks just like her father.
    • [~ + clause] to have the appearance of;
      seem to the eye to be:He looks like he’s working.
    • [~ + clause] to seem to the mind to be:Things look like they can’t get much worse.
    • [It + ~ + clause] to be probable that:It looks like we’ll be late.

19. look on:
    • [no object] to be a spectator;
      watch.
    • Also, look upon. [~ + upon + object + as + object] to consider;
      regard:She looked on him as a son.

20. look out, [no object] to be alert to danger;
    be careful:Look out; here she comes.
21. look out for, [~ + out + for + object] to take watchful care of:My boss was always looking out for me.
22. look over, to examine, esp. briefly: [~ + over + object]I looked over your term paper.[~ + object + over]I looked it over.
23. look to, [~ + to + object]
    • to depend on:to look to the president for leadership.
    • to expect or anticipate:We look to a brighter future for our children.

24. look up:
    • [no object] to become better or more prosperous;
      improve:The business is looking up.
    • to search for, as an item of information, in a reference book or the like: [~ + object + up]looking words up in the dictionary.[~ + up + object]Don’t look up every word.
    • to seek out, esp. to visit: [~ + up + object]to look up an old friend.[~ + object + up]to look him up next time.

25. look up to, [~ + up + to + object] to regard with admiration or respect:A lot of people look up to you, so don’t let them down.

n. [countable]

1. the act of looking:Have a look at these figures.
2. the way in which a person or thing appears;
   aspect:the look of an honest man.
3. fashion;
   style:the latest look in furniture.
4. looks, [plural]
   • general aspect;
     appearance:We didn’t like the looks of the place.
   • physical appearance esp. when attractive:all looks and no brains.

See see.

look 
(lŏŏk),USA pronunciation v.i. 

1. to turn one’s eyes toward something or in some direction in order to see:He looked toward the western horizon and saw the returning planes.
2. to glance or gaze in a manner specified:to look questioningly at a person.
3. to use one’s sight or vision in seeking, searching, examining, watching, etc.:to look through the papers.
4. to tend, as in bearing or significance:Conditions look toward war.
5. to appear or seem to the eye as specified:to look pale.
6. to appear or seem to the mind:The case looks promising.
7. to direct attention or consideration:to look at the facts.
8. to have an outlook or afford a view:The window looks upon the street.
9. to face or front:The house looks to the east.

v.t.

1. to give (someone) a look:He looked me straight in the eye.
2. to have an appearance appropriate to or befitting (something):She looked her age.
3. to appear to be;
   look like:He looked a perfect fool, coming to the party a day late.
4. to express or suggest by looks:to look one’s annoyance at a person.
5. [Archaic.]to bring, put, etc., by looks.
6. look after:
   • to follow with the eye, as someone or something moving away:She looked after him as he walked toward the train station.
   • to pay attention to;
     concern oneself with:to look after one’s own interests.
   • to take care of;
     minister to:to look after a child.

7. look back, to review past events;
   return in thought:When I look back on our school days, it seems as if they were a century ago.
8. Idioms look daggers, to look at someone with a furious, menacing expression:I could see my partner looking daggers at me.
9. look down on or upon, to regard with scorn or disdain;
   have contempt for:They look down on all foreigners.
10. Idioms look down one’s nose at, to regard with an overbearing attitude of superiority, disdain, or censure:The more advanced students really looked down their noses at the beginners.
11. look for:
    • to seek;
      search for:Columbus was looking for a shorter route to India when he discovered America.
    • to anticipate;
      expect:I’ll be looking for you at the reception.

12. Idioms look forward to, to anticipate with eagerness or pleasure:I always look forward to your visits.
13. look in:
    • Also, look into. to look briefly inside of:Look in the jar and tell me if any cookies are left.
    • Also, look in on. to visit (a person, place, etc.) briefly:I’ll look in some day next week.

14. look into, to inquire into;
    investigate;
    examine:The auditors are looking into the records to find the cause of the discrepancy.
15. look on or upon:
    • to be a spectator;
      watch:The crowd looked on at the street brawl.
    • to consider;
      regard:They look upon gambling as sinful.

16. look out:
    • to look to the outside, as from a window or a place of observation:From her office window, she could look out over the bustling city.
    • to be vigilant or on guard:Look out, there are dangers ahead.
    • to afford a view;
      face:The room looks out on the garden.

17. look out for, to take watchful care of;
    be concerned about:He has to look out for his health.
18. look over, to examine, esp. briefly:Will you please look over my report before I submit it?
19. Idioms look sharp:
    • to be alert and quick:If you want to get ahead, you must look sharp.
    • British TermsAlso, look slippy. to hurry:You’d better look sharp! It’s getting late.

20. look to:
    • to direct one’s glance or gaze to:If you look to your left, you can see the Empire State Building.
    • to pay attention to:Look to your own affairs and stay out of mine.
    • to direct one’s expectations or hopes to:We look to the day when world peace will be a reality.
    • to regard with expectation and anticipation:We look to the future and greater advances in science and technology.

21. look up:
    • to direct the eyes upward;
      raise one’s glance:The other guests looked up as she entered the room.
    • to become better or more prosperous;
      improve:Business is looking up.
    • to search for, as an item of information, in a reference book or the like:Look up the answer in the encyclopedia.
    • to seek out, esp. to visit:to look up an old friend.
    • Naval Terms[Naut.](of a sailing ship) to head more nearly in the direction of its destination after a favoring change of wind.

22. look up to, to regard with admiration or respect;
    esteem:A boy needs a father he can look up to.

n.

1. the act of looking:a look of inquiry.
2. a visual search or examination.
3. the way in which a person or thing appears to the eye or to the mind;
   aspect:He has the look of an honest man. The tablecloth has a cheap look.
4. an expressive glance:to give someone a sharp look.
5. looks:
   • general aspect;
     appearance:to like the looks of a place.
   • attractive, pleasing appearance.

• 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See watch. 
• 6.See corresponding entry in Unabridged See seem. 
• 33.See corresponding entry in Unabridged gaze, glance.
• 34.See corresponding entry in Unabridged appearance, air.