looked

looked — verb

1. The form of the verb 'look' used for actions completed before now, covering both

1.動詞A1
釋義

The form of the verb 'look' used for actions completed before now, covering both the simple past tense and the version placed after 'have' or 'had'.

例句

Fatima looked at the clock and realised she was late for work.

past simple of look + at [object]

Minho has looked everywhere for his passport but cannot find it.

present perfect: has looked

文法句型

looked + at/for/after/into

have/has looked

had looked

用法筆記

This is the only grammatical form listed here; all 7 senses use the same past-tense spelling 'looked'. The base verb 'look' is A1 in CEFR.

常見錯誤

❌I look at the document yesterday.
✅I looked at the document yesterday.
💡'looked' is the past form; use it for actions that happened before now.
❌I have look at his photos.
✅I have looked at his photos.
💡Use the past participle 'looked' after 'have' or 'had'.

2. To turn your eyes toward someone or something on purpose so that you can see the

2.動詞不及物A1
釋義

To turn your eyes toward someone or something on purpose so that you can see them.

例句

Constanza looked at the menu before ordering her lunch.

looked at [thing] — most common object structure

Asher looked up from his book when someone knocked on the door.

looked + adverb (up) [from something]

同義詞
  • glanced

    means looked briefly or quickly, not with sustained attention

  • peered

    means looked closely and with effort, often because something is hard to see

  • stared

    means looked for a long time without moving the eyes

反義詞
  • ignored

    means deliberately did not look at

文法句型

looked + at [sth/sb]

looked + adverb (up/down/out/around)

用法筆記

Intransitive — the object of sight must be introduced by a preposition (usually 'at') or an adverb. 'Looked [noun]' without a preposition is incorrect in standard English.

常見錯誤

❌I looked the beautiful sunset.
✅I looked at the beautiful sunset.
💡When the thing you see is named, use 'looked at', not 'looked' alone.

3. To search for a person or thing by checking various spots or possibilities until

3.動詞不及物A1
釋義

To search for a person or thing by checking various spots or possibilities until you locate them.

例句

Sahil looked for his wallet in every room of the house.

looked for [object] — standard search structure

Élise looked through all the drawers but could not find the letter.

looked through [container/place]

同義詞
  • searched

    more formal and suggests a very thorough or systematic effort

  • hunted

    suggests an energetic and determined search, often in many places

反義詞
  • found

    the successful result of looking for something

文法句型

looked + for [sth/sb]

looked + through [place]

looked + around [place]

用法筆記

Always requires 'for' when specifying what was being searched for. 'Looked for [something]' is the standard pattern. 'Looked through [a place/container]' describes where the search happened.

常見錯誤

❌I looked my keys everywhere.
✅I looked for my keys everywhere.
💡Use 'for' after 'looked' when searching for something.

4. To seem or appear in a particular way based on what you can see with your eyes.

4.動詞不及物A2
釋義

To seem or appear in a particular way based on what you can see with your eyes.

例句

Ava looked tired after working late every night that week.

looked + adjective describing a person's state

The soup looked delicious, so Omar asked for a second bowl.

同義詞
  • appeared

    more formal than 'looked'; can suggest the impression might be misleading

  • seemed

    focuses on the impression given, which may or may not be visual

文法句型

looked + adjective

looked + like + noun phrase

looked + as if/as though + clause

用法筆記

Functions as a linking verb (like 'seem' or 'appear'). Followed by an adjective (looked happy), not an adverb. For noun comparisons use 'looked like' (looked like a teacher). For clauses use 'looked as if' or 'looked as though'.

常見錯誤

❌She looked happily at the party.' (if meaning she seemed happy)
✅She looked happy at the party.
💡Use an adjective, not an adverb, after 'look' when describing appearance or state.
❌He looked as a doctor.
✅He looked like a doctor.
💡Use 'like', not 'as', for visual comparisons.

5. To face or be directed toward a particular direction, usually describing a build

5.動詞不及物B2
釋義

To face or be directed toward a particular direction, usually describing a building, window, or other place rather than a person.

例句

The bedroom windows looked east, so the morning sun woke them up.

looked + compass direction — facing a direction

The hotel balcony looked toward the ocean, offering a stunning view of the coast.

looked toward [something] — inanimate subject facing a direction

同義詞
  • faced

    directly means 'was oriented toward'; simpler and more common in everyday speech

  • overlooked

    suggests a view from above onto something below

文法句型

looked + [direction phrase]

looked + onto/out over/toward

用法筆記

Subject is typically an inanimate thing (a building, window, seat, balcony) rather than a person. Unlike sense 2 (SEE), this sense does not involve an act of seeing — it describes orientation only.

常見錯誤

❌My room looked at the park.
✅My room looked out onto the park.' or 'My room faced the park.
💡Use 'out onto', 'onto', or 'toward' for orientation, not 'at'.

6. Used to describe the action of paying careful attention, especially in order to

6.動詞不及物B1
釋義

Used to describe the action of paying careful attention, especially in order to avoid danger or check a situation before acting.

例句

Tunde looked both ways before he crossed the busy road.

looked both ways — common safety expression

The teacher told the class to look before opening the lab door.

imperative: look before [doing something]

同義詞
  • watched

    implies continuous attention over time; 'looked' is more about a single moment of checking

  • checked

    means looked with the specific purpose of verifying something

文法句型

looked + question word (where/who/what)

Look! — imperative warning

用法筆記

The warning sense is most common in the imperative (Look! / Look out!). In past tense, it describes someone who was being cautious. Distinguish from sense 2 (SEE), where the focus is on directing the eyes toward something; here the focus is on avoiding risk.

常見錯誤

❌Look the step!
✅Watch the step!' or 'Look at the step!
💡When warning about a hazard, use 'watch', not 'look' alone, or use 'look at'.

7. To intend or hope to do something in the future; to have a particular goal or pl

7.動詞不及物C2
釋義

To intend or hope to do something in the future; to have a particular goal or plan that you expect to achieve.

例句

Niran looked to finish his degree by the end of next year.

looked to + infinitive — expressing intention

The company looked to expand its business into markets across Asia.

同義詞
  • hoped to

    emphasises desire and optimism; 'looked to' also implies planning

  • intended to

    more direct about the plan; less aspirational

  • aimed to

    suggests a specific target or goal

文法句型

looked + to + infinitive

用法筆記

Followed by 'to' + infinitive. This is a formal or literary construction. In everyday conversation, 'planned to', 'hoped to', or 'intended to' are more common. Distinguish from sense 3 (SEARCH): 'looked for a job' (tried to find) vs 'looked to find a job' (intended/hoped).

常見錯誤

❌I looked to find my keys all morning.' (if meaning 'searched for')
✅I looked for my keys all morning.
💡'Looked to' means 'intended to', not 'searched for'.