Look vs. Looks — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 18, 2024
"Look" primarily functions as a verb related to the act of seeing, while "looks" can be the plural form of the noun "look" or the third-person singular of the verb.
Difference Between Look and Looks
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Key Differences
"Look" is used as a verb meaning to direct one's gaze towards something, whereas "looks" as a verb refers to the action done by he, she, or it in the present tense.
"Look" can also be a noun, representing the style or appearance of something or someone, while "looks" as a noun are typically used to discuss the physical attractiveness or style of multiple items or people.
In terms of grammatical function, "look" serves as the base form of the verb, used for imperatives, infinitives, and present tense except third-person singular; on the other hand, "looks" is specifically used for third-person singular present tense.
When using "look" in imperative forms such as commands, it invites someone to pay attention to something, whereas "looks" in statements attributes the action of looking to another subject.
In expressions, "have a look" uses the noun form to suggest examining something, while phrases like "she looks happy" use "looks" as a verb to describe an appearance or condition.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Base form of verb
Third-person singular present; plural noun
Usage
"Look at that!"
"He looks tired."
Conjugation
Look, looks, looked, looking
Same as 'look' but specific use case
Implications
Directive or action
Description of state or appearance
Example as noun
"Give the document a look."
"Her looks captivate everyone."
Compare with Definitions
Look
To direct one's gaze towards something.
Look at the stars tonight—they’re bright.
Looks
Third person singular present tense of look.
She looks for her glasses daily.
Look
To search for or seek something.
I'll look for my keys in the car.
Looks
The physical appearance of someone.
His looks are considered quite striking.
Look
To rely on visual appearance.
Look before you cross the street.
Looks
Used to describe the act of giving an impression.
It looks like it might rain.
Look
To face or be situated in a particular direction.
The building looks towards the west.
Looks
Concerned with visual assessment.
She frequently looks over the reports for errors.
Look
To seem or appear in a particular way.
The solution looks complicated.
Looks
Refers to repeated observations or inspections.
His careful looks at the details paid off.
Look
To employ one's sight, especially in a given direction or on a given object
Looking out the window.
Looked at the floor.
Looks
To employ one's sight, especially in a given direction or on a given object
Looking out the window.
Looked at the floor.
Look
To search
We looked all afternoon but could not find it.
Looks
To search
We looked all afternoon but could not find it.
Look
To turn one's glance or gaze
Looked to the right.
Looks
To turn one's glance or gaze
Looked to the right.
Look
To turn one's attention; attend
Looked to his neglected guitar during vacation.
Looked at the evidence.
Looks
To turn one's attention; attend
Looked to his neglected guitar during vacation.
Looked at the evidence.
Look
To turn one's expectations
Looked to us for a solution.
Looks
To turn one's expectations
Looked to us for a solution.
Look
To seem or appear to be
Look morose.
Looks
To seem or appear to be
Look morose.
Look
To face in a specified direction
The cottage looks on the river.
Looks
To face in a specified direction
The cottage looks on the river.
Look
To turn one's eyes on
Looked him in the eye.
Looks
To turn one's eyes on
Looked him in the eye.
Look
To convey by one's expression
Looked annoyance at the judge.
Looked his devotion to me.
Looks
To convey by one's expression
Looked annoyance at the judge.
Looked his devotion to me.
Look
To have an appearance of conformity with
He looks his age. She dressed up to look the part.
Looks
To have an appearance of conformity with
He looks his age. She dressed up to look the part.
Look
To appear to be
Looked the fool in one version of the story.
Looks
To appear to be
Looked the fool in one version of the story.
Look
The act or instance of looking
I took just one look and I was sure.
Looks
The act or instance of looking
I took just one look and I was sure.
Look
A gaze or glance expressive of something
Gave her a mournful look.
Looks
A gaze or glance expressive of something
Gave her a mournful look.
Look
Appearance or aspect
A look of great age.
Looks
Appearance or aspect
A look of great age.
Look
Looks Physical appearance, especially when pleasing.
Looks
Looks Physical appearance, especially when pleasing.
Look
A distinctive, unified manner of dress or fashion
The preferred look for this fall.
Looks
A distinctive, unified manner of dress or fashion
The preferred look for this fall.
Look
To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
Looks
Plural of look
Look
(intransitive) As an intransitive verb, often with "at".
They kept looking at me.
Don’t look in the closet.
Looks
One's appearance or attractiveness.
His charm and good looks accounted for much of his popularity in the polls.
Look
As a transitive verb, often in the relative clause as direct object.}}
Look what you did to him!
Look who's back!
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.
Look
(copulative) To give an appearance of being.
That painting looks nice.
Look
To search for, to try to find.
Look
To face or present a view.
The hotel looks over the valleys of the HinduKush.
Look
To expect or anticipate.
I look to each hour for my lover’s arrival.
Look
(transitive) To express or manifest by a look.
Look
To make sure of, to see to.
Look
To show oneself in looking.
Look out of the window [i.e. lean out] while I speak to you.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Look
To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence.
To look down opposition
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.
Look
Pay attention.
Look, I'm going to explain what to do, so you have to listen closely.
Look
The action of looking; an attempt to see.
Let’s have a look under the hood of the car.
Look
(often plural) Physical appearance, visual impression.
She got her mother’s looks.
I don’t like the look of the new design.
Look
A facial expression.
He gave me a dirty look.
If looks could kill ...
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.
Look
To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Look
To await the appearance of anything; to expect; to anticipate.
Looking each hour into death's mouth to fall.
Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth.
My subject does not oblige me to look after the water, or point forth the place where to it is now retreated.
The bishops thereat repined, and looked black.
Her friends would look on her the worse.
I looked on Virgil as a succinct, majestic writer.
I'll be a candleholder, and look on.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Looking my love, I go from place to place.
Look
To expect.
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.
Look
To express or manifest by a look.
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again.
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.
Look
Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look.
Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks.
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.
Look
The expression on a person's face;
A sad expression
A look of triumph
An angry face
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
Look
Physical appearance;
I don't like the looks of this place
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
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!
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
Look
Have a certain outward or facial expression;
How does she look?
The child looks unhappy
She looked pale after the surgery
Look
Search or seek;
We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
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
Look
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
Look
Convey by one's expression;
She looked her devotion to me
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
Look
Accord in appearance with;
You don't look your age!
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
Common Curiosities
What is the primary function of the verb "look"?
It refers to the action of directing one's gaze towards something to see it.
Can "look" be used in various tenses?
Yes, "look" can be adapted into different tenses such as looked, looking, or will look.
How is "looks" used as a noun?
As a noun, "looks" refers to the physical appearance or attractiveness of a person.
Is "look" used in idiomatic expressions?
Yes, it is commonly used in idioms such as "look out" or "look before you leap."
How does "looks" relate to repeated actions?
The noun form can imply repeated observations or continuous regard, as in "gives careful looks."
Does "looks" have different grammatical functions?
Yes, it can function as both a plural noun and a verb in different contexts.
What does "looks" indicate when used as a verb?
When used as a verb, "looks" is the third person singular present tense of "look," indicating a current action.
How do the phrases "look at" and "looks like" differ?
"Look at" directs immediate attention to something, while "looks like" is used to describe appearance or likelihood.
What is a common context for using "look"?
It is often used when asking someone to focus on or notice something specifically.
How does the expression "good looks" fit into the use of "looks"?
"Good looks" refers to someone's attractive physical appearance, using "looks" as a noun.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
