LOOKING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does looking mean? 

• LOOKING (noun)
  The noun LOOKING has 2 senses:

1. the act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

2. the act of searching visually

  Familiarity information: LOOKING used as a noun is rare.

• LOOKING (adjective)
  The adjective LOOKING has 1 sense:

1. appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms

  Familiarity information: LOOKING used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LOOKING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

look; looking; looking at

Context example:

his camera does his looking for him

Hypernyms ("looking" is a kind of...):

perception; sensing (becoming aware of something via the senses)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "looking"):

coup d'oeil; glance; glimpse (a quick look)

scrutiny (a prolonged intense look)

peek; peep (a secret look)

squint (the act of squinting; looking with the eyes partly closed)

stare (a fixed look with eyes open wide)

evil eye (a look that is believed to have the power of inflicting harm)

rubber-necking; sightseeing (going about to look at places of interest)

observance; observation; watching (the act of observing; taking a patient look)

lookout; outlook (the act of looking out)

sight; survey; view (the act of looking or seeing or observing)

dekko (British slang for a look)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The act of searching visually

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

looking; looking for

Hypernyms ("looking" is a kind of...):

hunt; hunting; search (the activity of looking thoroughly in order to find something or someone)

• LOOKING (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Appearing to be as specified; usually used as combining forms

Synonyms:

looking; sounding

Context example:

taken in by high-sounding talk

Similar:

superficial (concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually)

 Context examples 

They found that phantom brightness enhancements appear in places where the viewer is looking through a "fold" in the curtain.

(Saturn Moon's Activity Could Be 'Curtain Eruptions', NASA)

"Well, what if it is? You are not afraid of anything, you know," returned the boy, looking wicked.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The AAP advises children aged between three and five spend no more than one hour a day looking at screens.

(Too Much Screen Time Changes Structure of Toddlers' Brains, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

She was looking at the man, and for some time he returned her look.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

Scientists estimate that Alzheimer's-related plaques can build up in the brain two decades before the onset of symptoms, so researchers have been looking for ways to detect the disease sooner.

(Predicting Alzheimer's Disease May Be Possible Using Eye Exam, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Creating and maintaining successful conservation policy means constantly looking for breakdowns in the system.

(Belly up to the bamboo buffet: Pandas vs. horses, NSF)

Again he wandered about through the great camp, looking for them, and again he returned.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

Yes, and again, as we walk home, I note some neighbours looking at my mother and at me, and whispering.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The end result is that there’s no way to know whether the products you’re looking at contain high flavanol levels.

(Can Chocolate Really Be Good for You?, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

But Marleen stood looking on, and wept and wept, and her tears fell into the pot, so that there was no need of salt.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)