Lock vs. Look — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
"Lock" refers to a device or mechanism used to secure objects, while "look" is a verb meaning to direct one’s gaze towards something.
Difference Between Lock and Look
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Lock" is primarily associated with security; it involves mechanisms such as padlocks, deadbolts, or digital systems designed to prevent unauthorized access to a location or object. On the other hand, "look" is an action performed with the eyes, used to observe, search, or examine visually.
While locks require physical or digital keys to operate, looking requires no tools, relying solely on one's sensory and cognitive abilities to focus and interpret visual information. Conversely, locks are tangible objects that can be touched and manipulated.
Locks are integral to the protection of property and privacy, utilized in various settings from homes to high-security environments. In contrast, looking serves numerous purposes, from gathering information and enjoying sights to diagnosing problems or detecting dangers.
In terms of skills or knowledge, operating a lock might require knowing a combination or possessing a key, while effective looking might involve understanding where and how to direct one's gaze to maximize the information received, such as in professional fields like surveillance or visual arts.
The technology involved in locks has evolved from mechanical to electronic, enhancing security features. Looking, while not technologically based per se, benefits from tools like binoculars, microscopes, or cameras that extend the natural capabilities of the human eye.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A device for securing doors, containers, etc.
To direct one’s gaze towards something.
Usage
Security and protection
Observation and information gathering
Tools Required
Keys, combinations
Eyes, optionally enhanced by visual tools
Function
Prevent unauthorized access
Gain visual information
Skill/Knowledge
Operation of locking mechanisms
Visual focus and interpretation
Compare with Definitions
Lock
An action to ensure something is not movable or removable.
Lock the wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
Look
To direct one’s eyes towards something in order to see it.
Look at the sunset, it’s beautiful!
Lock
A mechanism used to secure doors, containers, or objects.
He turned the key in the lock to secure the shop at night.
Look
To appear or seem to appear in terms of a condition or quality.
He looks tired today.
Lock
Used metaphorically to denote complete security.
The confidential documents are under lock and key.
Look
To use one’s sight to gather information.
She looked through the telescope to see the stars.
Lock
A device that requires a key or combination to open.
She forgot the combination to her bike lock.
Look
To search for something by visually scanning.
I looked everywhere for my glasses.
Lock
A function on electronic devices that secures access.
Don’t forget to lock your phone to prevent unauthorized use.
Look
To face or be situated in a particular direction.
The window looks out onto the lake.
Lock
A device operated by a key, combination, or keycard and used, as on a door, for holding, closing, or securing.
Look
To employ one's sight, especially in a given direction or on a given object
Looking out the window.
Looked at the floor.
Lock
A section of a waterway, such as a canal, closed off with gates, in which vessels in transit are raised or lowered by raising or lowering the water level of that section.
Look
To search
We looked all afternoon but could not find it.
Lock
A mechanism in a firearm for exploding the charge.
Look
To turn one's glance or gaze
Looked to the right.
Lock
An interlocking or entanglement of elements or parts.
Look
To turn one's attention; attend
Looked to his neglected guitar during vacation.
Looked at the evidence.
Lock
(Sports) A hold in wrestling or self-defense that is secured on a part of an opponent's body.
Look
To turn one's expectations
Looked to us for a solution.
Lock
A secure hold; control
The distributor has a lock on most of the market.
Look
To seem or appear to be
Look morose.
Lock
A sure thing; a certainty
His promotion is a lock.
Look
To face in a specified direction
The cottage looks on the river.
Lock
A length or curl of hair; a tress.
Look
To turn one's eyes on
Looked him in the eye.
Lock
Often locks The hair of the head.
Look
To convey by one's expression
Looked annoyance at the judge.
Looked his devotion to me.
Lock
A small wisp or tuft, as of wool or cotton.
Look
To have an appearance of conformity with
He looks his age. She dressed up to look the part.
Lock
To fasten the lock of
Close and lock a drawer.
Look
To appear to be
Looked the fool in one version of the story.
Lock
To shut or make secure with or as if with locks
Locked the house.
Look
The act or instance of looking
I took just one look and I was sure.
Lock
To confine or exclude by or as if by means of a lock
Locked the dog in for the night.
Locked the criminal up in a cell.
Look
A gaze or glance expressive of something
Gave her a mournful look.
Lock
To fix in place so that movement or escape is impossible; hold fast
The ship was locked in the ice through the winter. She felt that she had become locked into a binding agreement.
Look
Appearance or aspect
A look of great age.
Lock
To aim (a weapon or other device) at a moving target so as to follow it automatically
"The pilot had locked his targeting radar on the slow-moving frigate" (Ed Magnuson).
Look
Looks Physical appearance, especially when pleasing.
Lock
To clasp or link firmly; intertwine or interlock
Locked arms and walked away.
Look
A distinctive, unified manner of dress or fashion
The preferred look for this fall.
Lock
To bind in close struggle or battle
The two dogs were locked in combat.
Look
To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
Lock
To equip (a waterway) with locks.
Look
(intransitive) As an intransitive verb, often with "at".
They kept looking at me.
Don’t look in the closet.
Lock
To pass (a vessel) through a lock.
Look
As a transitive verb, often in the relative clause as direct object.}}
Look what you did to him!
Look who's back!
Lock
To invest (funds) in such a way that they cannot easily be converted into cash.
Look
To appear, to seem.
It looks as if it’s going to rain soon.
Our new boss looks to be a lot more friendly.
Lock
To arrange or secure (an interest rate) for a loan.
Look
(copulative) To give an appearance of being.
That painting looks nice.
Lock
To end the processing of (a magnetic tape or disk) in such a way as to deny access to its contents.
Look
To search for, to try to find.
Lock
To protect (a file) from changes or deletion.
Look
To face or present a view.
The hotel looks over the valleys of the HinduKush.
Lock
To become fastened by or as if by means of a lock
The door locks automatically when shut.
Look
To expect or anticipate.
I look to each hour for my lover’s arrival.
Lock
To become entangled or jammed; interlock.
Look
(transitive) To express or manifest by a look.
Lock
To become rigid or immobile
The mechanism tends to lock in cold weather.
Look
To make sure of, to see to.
Lock
To pass through a lock or locks in a waterway.
Look
To show oneself in looking.
Look out of the window [i.e. lean out] while I speak to you.
Lock
Something used for fastening, which can only be opened with a key or combination.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
Lock
A mutex or other token restricting access to a resource.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Lock
Complete control over a situation.
Look
To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence.
To look down opposition
Lock
Something sure to be a success.
Look
(baseball) To look at a pitch as a batter without swinging at it.
The fastball caught him looking.
Clem Labine struck Mays out looking at his last at bat.
It's unusual for Mays to strike out looking. He usually takes a cut at it.
Lock
(rugby) A player in the scrum behind the front row, usually the tallest members of the team.
Look
Pay attention.
Look, I'm going to explain what to do, so you have to listen closely.
Lock
A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.
Look
The action of looking; an attempt to see.
Let’s have a look under the hood of the car.
Lock
A place impossible to get out of, as by a lock.
Look
(often plural) Physical appearance, visual impression.
She got her mother’s looks.
I don’t like the look of the new design.
Lock
A device for keeping a wheel from turning.
Look
A facial expression.
He gave me a dirty look.
If looks could kill ...
Lock
A grapple in wrestling.
Look
To direct the eyes for the purpose of seeing something; to direct the eyes toward an object; to observe with the eyes while keeping them directed; - with various prepositions, often in a special or figurative sense. See Phrases below.
Lock
A tuft or length of hair, wool, etc.
Look
To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.
Lock
A small quantity of straw etc.
Look
To seem; to appear; to have a particular appearance; as, the patient looks better; the clouds look rainy.
It would look more like vanity than gratitude.
Observe how such a practice looks in another person.
Lock
A quantity of meal, the perquisite of a mill-servant.
Look
To have a particular direction or situation; to face; to front.
The inner gate that looketh to north.
The east gate . . . which looketh eastward.
Lock
(intransitive) To become fastened in place.
If you put the brakes on too hard, the wheels will lock.
Look
In the imperative: see; behold; take notice; take care; observe; - used to call attention.
Look, how much we thus expel of sin, so much we expel of virtue.
Look that ye bind them fast.
Look if it be my daughter.
Lock
(transitive) To fasten with a lock.
Remember to lock the door when you leave.
Look
To show one's self in looking, as by leaning out of a window; as, look out of the window while I speak to you. Sometimes used figuratively.
My toes look through the overleather.
Lock
(intransitive) To be capable of becoming fastened in place.
This door locks with a key.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
Lock
(transitive) To intertwine or dovetail.
With his hands locked behind his back
We locked arms and stepped out into the night.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Looking my love, I go from place to place.
Lock
To freeze one's body or a part thereof in place.
A pop and lock routine
Look
To expect.
Lock
To furnish (a canal) with locks.
Look
To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence as, to look down opposition.
A spirit fit to start into an empire,And look the world to law.
Lock
To raise or lower (a boat) in a lock.
Look
To express or manifest by a look.
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again.
Lock
To seize (e.g. the sword arm of an antagonist) by turning one's left arm around it, to disarm them.
Look
The act of looking; a glance; a sight; a view; - often in certain phrases; as, to have, get, take, throw, or cast, a look.
Threw many a northward look to see his fatherBring up his powers; but he did long in vain.
Lock
To modify (a thread) so that users cannot make new posts in it.
Look
Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look.
Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks.
Lock
To prevent a page from being edited by other users.
Frequently-vandalized pages are generally locked to prevent further damage.
Look
Appearance; aspect; as, the house has a gloomy look; the affair has a bad look.
Pain, disgrace, and poverty have frighted looks.
There was something that reminded me of Dante's Hell in the look of this.
Lock
To play in the position of lock.
Look
The expression on a person's face;
A sad expression
A look of triumph
An angry face
Lock
Anything that fastens; specifically, a fastening, as for a door, a lid, a trunk, a drawer, and the like, in which a bolt is moved by a key so as to hold or to release the thing fastened.
Look
The act of directing the eyes toward something and perceiving it visually;
He went out to have a look
His look was fixed on her eyes
He gave it a good looking at
His camera does his looking for him
Lock
A fastening together or interlacing; a closing of one thing upon another; a state of being fixed or immovable.
Albemarle Street closed by a lock of carriages.
Look
Physical appearance;
I don't like the looks of this place
Lock
A place from which egress is prevented, as by a lock.
Look
The general atmosphere of a place or situation and the effect that it has on people;
The feel of the city excited him
A clergyman improved the tone of the meeting
It had the smell of treason
Lock
The barrier or works which confine the water of a stream or canal.
Look
Perceive with attention; direct one's gaze towards;
She looked over the expanse of land
Look at your child!
Look--a deer in the backyard!
Lock
An inclosure in a canal with gates at each end, used in raising or lowering boats as they pass from one level to another; - called also lift lock.
Look
Give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect;
She seems to be sleeping
This appears to be a very difficult problem
This project looks fishy
They appeared like people who had not eaten or slept for a long time
Lock
That part or apparatus of a firearm by which the charge is exploded; as, a matchlock, flintlock, percussion lock, etc.
Look
Have a certain outward or facial expression;
How does she look?
The child looks unhappy
She looked pale after the surgery
Lock
A device for keeping a wheel from turning.
Look
Search or seek;
We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
Lock
A grapple in wrestling.
Look
Be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to;
The house looks north
My backyard look onto the pond
The building faces the park
Lock
To fasten with a lock, or as with a lock; to make fast; to prevent free movement of; as, to lock a door, a carriage wheel, a river, etc.
Look
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
Lock
To prevent ingress or access to, or exit from, by fastening the lock or locks of; - often with up; as, to lock or lock up, a house, jail, room, trunk. etc.
Look
Convey by one's expression;
She looked her devotion to me
Lock
To link together; to clasp closely; as, to lock arms.
Look
Look forward to the probable occurrence of;
We were expecting a visit from our relatives
She is looking to a promotion
He is waiting to be drafted
Lock
To furnish with locks; also, to raise or lower (a boat) in a lock.
Look
Accord in appearance with;
You don't look your age!
Lock
To seize, as the sword arm of an antagonist, by turning the left arm around it, to disarm him.
Look
Have faith or confidence in;
You can count on me to help you any time
Look to your friends for support
You can bet on that!
Depend on your family in times of crisis
Lock
To become fast, as by means of a lock or by interlacing; as, the door locks close.
When it locked none might through it pass.
Lock
A fastener fitted to a door or drawer to keep it firmly closed
Lock
A strand or cluster of hair
Lock
A mechanism that detonates the charge of a gun
Lock
Enclosure consisting of a section of canal that can be closed to control the water level; used to raise or lower vessels that pass through it
Lock
A restraint incorporated into the ignition switch to prevent the use of a vehicle by persons who do not have the key
Lock
Any wrestling hold in which some part of the opponent's body is twisted or pressured
Lock
Fasten with a lock;
Lock the bike to the fence
Unlock the door
Lock
Keep engaged;
Engaged the gears
Lock
Become rigid or immoveable;
The therapist noticed that the patient's knees tended to lock in this exercise
Lock
Hold in a locking position;
He locked his hands around her neck
Lock
Become engaged or intermeshed with one another;
They were locked in embrace
Lock
Hold fast (in a certain state);
He was locked in a laughing fit
Lock
Place in a place where something cannot be removed or someone cannot escape;
The parents locked her daughter up for the weekend
She locked her jewels in the safe
Lock
Pass by means through a lock in a waterway
Lock
Build locks in order to facilitate the navigation of vessels
Common Curiosities
Can a lock be both mechanical and digital?
Yes, locks can be mechanical (using keys) or digital (using codes or biometrics).
What is a lock used for?
A lock is used for securing objects, preventing unauthorized access.
What is the difference between looking and seeing?
Looking refers to intentionally directing one's gaze, while seeing is the ability to perceive with the eyes, often passively.
What are some common types of locks?
Common types include padlocks, deadbolts, combination locks, and electronic locks.
How is looking important in everyday life?
Looking is crucial for navigating environments, recognizing people, and performing tasks that require visual input.
Is looking an active or passive action?
Looking is generally an active action, requiring intentional effort to direct one’s gaze.
What does it mean to look at something?
To look at something means to direct your gaze towards it in order to see it.
How does technology enhance looking?
Technology enhances looking through devices like cameras, binoculars, and microscopes that extend natural vision.
Are there professional fields that specialize in locks?
Yes, locksmithing is a professional field specializing in the creation and breaking of locks.
How do you improve your looking skills?
Improving looking skills can involve practices like attention to detail, maintaining good eye health, and using supportive visual tools.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
