1 A2 neutral
To search for a piece of information in a reference book, database, or online.
"If you don't know what a word means, just look it up in the dictionary."
separable
look up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To search for information in a reference source; to raise your eyes; or (of a situation) to improve.
In plain English
You look up a word when you check its meaning in a dictionary. Things 'look up' when they start getting better.
What does "look up" mean?
4 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To raise your eyes from what you are doing.
"She looked up from her book when she heard the door open."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To improve after a difficult period (used for situations, prospects, or things in general).
"I know things have been hard lately, but I really think they're starting to look up."
“
Things are looking up for the economy after months of bad news.
— Common journalistic phrasing; widely used in financial reporting, e.g. The Economist, various dates
inseparable
4 B1 idiomatic informal
To visit or contact someone you have not seen for a while.
"If you're ever in Edinburgh, look me up — I'd love to catch up."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To direct your gaze upward.
Actually means
You look up a word when you check its meaning in a dictionary. Things 'look up' when they start getting better.
Usage tip
The 'search for information' sense is extremely common and used for both physical books and digital searches. 'Things are looking up' is a fixed idiomatic expression meaning the situation is improving.
Words that pair with "look up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
word number address information dictionary things
How to conjugate "look up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
look up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
looks up
he/she/it
Past simple
looked up
yesterday
Past participle
looked up
have + pp
-ing form
looking up
continuous
Hear "look up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "look up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "look up"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
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