Phrase guide

look to

verb · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see look, to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Whenever I'm upset, I look to Mary to cheer me up.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: run to, turn to

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To take care of.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To intend to; to prepare to; to seem likely to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • I think that cat was looking to bite me if I hadn't run away!
  • A storm looks to be on the way.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

turn one's interests or expectations towards

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • look to the future
  • this method looks to significant wavings

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: expect, look, await, wait

6

verb

Meaning 6

be excited or anxious about

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: anticipate, look for

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: expect, look, await, wait

Narrower terms: apprehend, quail at

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Galician: inspirarse — to seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone
  • Galician: confiar — to seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone
  • Polish: zwracać się do — to seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone
  • Polish: zwrócić się do — to seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone
  • Russian: полагаться (polagatʹsja) — to seek inspiration or advice or reward from someone
  • Bulgarian: грижа се (griža se) — to take care of
  • Galician: ocuparse — to take care of
  • Galician: encargarse — to take care of
  • Polish: zajmować się — to take care of
  • Polish: zająć się — to take care of
  • Russian: присматривать (prismatrivatʹ) — to take care of