Phrasal verb
look up
Meanings
to search for information about something in a book, database, or online
to find and contact someone, especially after not seeing them for a while
to raise your eyes and direct your gaze upward
Definition
To look up means to search for information in a reference source or online.
If you look up something, you try to find information about it, often in a dictionary, a book, or on the internet. You can also look up a person by finding their contact details or locating them. In a more physical sense, you can look up by raising your eyes toward something higher.
Examples
- I need to look up the meaning of this word before I use it.
- Can you look up the train times for me on your phone?
- He looked up her email address and sent a quick message.
- They looked up when they heard a loud noise above them.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “look up” (search for information) with “look for” (try to find a lost or missing thing).
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.