look up
Third Person
looks up
Present Participle
looking up
Past Tense
looked up
Past Participle
looked up
1
to try to find information in a dictionary, computer, etc.
transitive
- I couldn't remember her phone number, so I looked it up.
- Wait a minute, I'm looking up the address.
- When I need a recipe, I always look it up online.
- You can look up any unfamiliar term on the internet.
- You should look up the word to improve your vocabulary.
2
to raise one's eyes from something one is looking at downwards
- He looks up from his book as I enter the room.
- He has looked up from his phone several times during the meeting.
- When he heard his name called, he looked up from his book to see who it was.
- She looked up from her computer when I called her name.
- He looked up from his desk to watch the birds flying outside the window.
3
to show signs of improvement
- Things are finally looking up for me after a rough few months.
- The situation is currently looking up for the team, as they have won their last three games.
- Things are finally starting to look up for her after a tough year.
- With the new manager in place, the company's prospects are looking up.
- The economy is showing signs of recovery, and things are looking up for many people.
4
to visit someone, especially after a long period of not seeing them
transitive
- I'll look you up when I'm in town next week.
- I haven't seen my old friend in years, but I'm hoping to look her up when I visit her city next month.
- It's been too long since I've looked up my old neighbor.
- I'd love to look up my family members who live in the area.
- I'll make sure to look you up before I leave town.