Look vs. See
The main difference between Look and See is that Look is to focus your eyes in a particular direction, whereas See is noticing something using your eyes.
Key Differences
Look is defined as to ponder about something in a deliberate manner using your eyes, whereas see is defined as casual visual perception of things using your eyes.
Looking is a regular verb. On the other hand, seeing is an irregular verb.
Looking is a voluntary action, which is under our conscious control. Contrarily, seeing is an involuntary action, which is not under our conscious control.
Aimie Carlson
Jun 01, 2020
The past participle of look remains unchanged, whereas the past participle of see is changed to “seen.”
To look, we force our eyes to focus on the object. On the flip side, to see, there is no need to force your eyes in a specific direction to concentrate or chew over something.
The past tense of look is not changed and remains the same. On the other hand, the past tense of see is changed to “saw.”
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We can use the word “look” transitively or intransitively. Conversely, see is used transitively only.
Look is gazing in a particular direction to show your concern, whereas see is just about noticing and observing the surroundings without any concern.
Samantha Walker
Jun 01, 2020
Look can be used for progressive actions, which means that it can describe things in motion. In contrast, see cannot be used for progressive actions, which means it cannot describe the motion of things.
Harlon Moss
Jun 01, 2020
The preposition “to” is used when look is used with an object, while no preposition is used when see is used with an object.
Samantha Walker
Jun 01, 2020
Comparison Chart
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A voluntary action of concentrating your eyes on something is called look.
An involuntary action of noticing and casually observing things is called see.
Concentration
Required
Not required
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Verb
Regular verb
Irregular verb
Automatic Action
Not an automatic action
An automatic action
Progressive Tense
Can be used in progressive tenses
Cannot be used in progressive tenses
Past Tense
Look
Saw
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Example
I was just looking at this artistic piece of nature.
Mary saw me at the party yesterday.
Look and See Definitions
Look
To employ one's sight, especially in a given direction or on a given object
Looking out the window.
Looked at the floor.
See
To perceive with the eye
Do you see the hawk in the tree?.
Look
To search
We looked all afternoon but could not find it.
See
To detect by means analogous to use of the eye
The surveillance camera saw the intruders.
Look
To turn one's glance or gaze
Looked to the right.
See
To attend or view as a spectator
Saw a play.
Look
To turn one's attention; attend
Looked to his neglected guitar during vacation.
Looked at the evidence.
See
To refer to or look at
Persons interested in the book's history should see page one of the preface.
Look
To turn one's expectations
Looked to us for a solution.
See
To become aware of or apprehend
She saw from his expression that he did not want to go.
Look
To seem or appear to be
Look morose.
See
To find out or ascertain, often by moving
Please see who's knocking.
Look
To face in a specified direction
The cottage looks on the river.
See
To take note of; recognize
She sees only the good aspects of the organization.
Look
To turn one's eyes on
Looked him in the eye.
See
To consider to be; regard
Many see her as an inspiring figure.
Look
To convey by one's expression
Looked annoyance at the judge.
Looked his devotion to me.
See
To have a mental image of; visualize
They could still see their hometown as it once was.
Look
To have an appearance of conformity with
He looks his age. She dressed up to look the part.
See
To foresee or imagine
I see great things for that child.
Look
To appear to be
Looked the fool in one version of the story.
See
To know through firsthand experience; undergo or experience
He saw service in the navy. She has seen many changes in her lifetime.
Look
The act or instance of looking
I took just one look and I was sure.
See
To be characterized by; be the time for
"The 1930s saw the development of sulfa drugs and penicillin" (Gregg Easterbrook).
Look
A gaze or glance expressive of something
Gave her a mournful look.
See
To be subjected to; undergo
This word sees a lot of use in sports.
Look
Appearance or aspect
A look of great age.
See
To visit, meet, or be in the company of
I saw all my aunts and uncles at the reunion.
Look
Looks Physical appearance, especially when pleasing.
See
To share the companionship of as a romantic partner
He's been seeing the same woman for eight years.
Look
A distinctive, unified manner of dress or fashion
The preferred look for this fall.
See
To visit for consultation
You ought to see your doctor more frequently.
Look
To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
See
To admit or receive, as for consultation or a social visit
The doctor will see you now.
Look
(intransitive) As an intransitive verb, often with "at".
They kept looking at me.
Don’t look in the closet.
See
To escort; attend
I'm seeing Amy home.
Look
As a transitive verb, often in the relative clause as direct object.}}
Look what you did to him!
Look who's back!
See
To make sure; take care
See that it gets done right away.
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.
See
To meet (a bet) in card games.
Look
(copulative) To give an appearance of being.
That painting looks nice.
See
To meet the bet of (another player).
Look
To search for, to try to find.
See
To have the power to perceive with the eyes
Once I got glasses I could see much better.
Look
To face or present a view.
The hotel looks over the valleys of the HinduKush.
See
To have the ability to detect or record visual information
This telescope sees far into space.
Look
To expect or anticipate.
I look to each hour for my lover’s arrival.
See
To understand; comprehend
As you can see, life in medieval Europe was difficult.
Look
(transitive) To express or manifest by a look.
See
To consider
Let's see, which suitcase should we take?.
Look
To make sure of, to see to.
See
To go and look
She had to see for herself and went into the garage.
Look
To show oneself in looking.
Look out of the window [i.e. lean out] while I speak to you.
See
To ascertain; find out
We probably can do it, but we'll have to see.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
See
To have foresight
"No man can see to the end of time" (John F. Kennedy).
Look
To seek; to search for.
See
The official seat, center of authority, jurisdiction, or office of a bishop.
Look
To influence, overawe, or subdue by looks or presence.
To look down opposition
See
(Obsolete) A cathedra.
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.
See
(transitive) To perceive or detect someone or something with the eyes, or as if by sight.
Look
Pay attention.
Look, I'm going to explain what to do, so you have to listen closely.
See
To witness or observe by personal experience.
Now I've seen it all!
I have been blind since birth and I love to read Braille. When the books arrive in from the library, I can’t wait to see what stories they have sent me.
Look
The action of looking; an attempt to see.
Let’s have a look under the hood of the car.
See
To watch (a movie) at a cinema, or a show on television etc.
I saw the latest Tarantino flick last week.
Look
(often plural) Physical appearance, visual impression.
She got her mother’s looks.
I don’t like the look of the new design.
See
To form a mental picture of.
Look
A facial expression.
He gave me a dirty look.
If looks could kill ...
See
(figuratively) To understand.
Do you see what I mean?
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.
See
To come to a realization of having been mistaken or misled.
They're blind to the damage they do, but someday they'll see.
Look
To direct the attention (to something); to consider; to examine; as, to look at an action.
See
(transitive) To foresee, predict, or prophesy.
The oracle saw the destruction of the city.
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.
See
(used in the imperative) Used to emphasise a proposition.
You see, Johnny, your Dad isn't your real father.
You're not welcome here any more, see?
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.
See
(social) To meet, to visit.
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.
See
To have an interview with; especially, to make a call upon; to visit.
To go to see a friend
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.
See
To date frequently.
I've been seeing her for two months.
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.
See
To visit for a medical appointment.
You should see a doctor about that rash on your arm.
I've been seeing a therapist for three years now.
Look
To look at; to turn the eyes toward.
See
(transitive; ergative) To be the setting or time of.
The 20th century saw humanity's first space exploration.
1999 saw the release of many great films.
Look
To seek; to search for.
Looking my love, I go from place to place.
See
(by extension) To ensure that something happens, especially while witnessing it.
I'll see you hang for this!
I saw that they didn't make any more trouble.
Look
To expect.
See
(transitive) To wait upon; attend, escort.
I saw the old lady safely across the road.
You can see yourself out.
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.
See
To respond to another player's bet with a bet of equal value.
I'll see your twenty dollars and raise you ten.
Look
To express or manifest by a look.
Soft eyes looked love to eyes which spake again.
See
To determine by trial or experiment; to find out (if or whether).
I'll come over later and see if I can fix your computer.
You think I can't beat you in a race, eh? We'll see.
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.
See
(used in the imperative) To reference or to study for further details.
Step 4: In the system, check out the laptop to the student (see: "Logging Resources" in the Tutor Manual).
For a complete proof of the Poincaré conjecture, see Appendix C.
Look
Expression of the eyes and face; manner; as, a proud or defiant look.
Up ! up! my friends, and clear your looks.
See
To examine something closely, or to utilize something, often as a temporary alternative.
Can I see that lighter for a second? Mine just quit working.
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.
See
To include as one of something's experiences.
The equipment has not seen usage outside of our projects.
I saw military service in Vietnam.
Look
The expression on a person's face;
A sad expression
A look of triumph
An angry face
See
Introducing an explanation
See, in order to win the full prize we would have to come up with a scheme to land a rover on the Moon.
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
See
A diocese, archdiocese; a region of a church, generally headed by a bishop, especially an archbishop.
Look
Physical appearance;
I don't like the looks of this place
See
The office of a bishop or archbishop; bishopric or archbishopric
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
See
A seat; a site; a place where sovereign power is exercised.
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!
See
A seat; a site; a place where sovereign power is exercised.
Jove laughed on Venus from his sovereign see.
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
See
The seat of episcopal power; a diocese; the jurisdiction of a bishop; as, the see of New York.
Look
Have a certain outward or facial expression;
How does she look?
The child looks unhappy
She looked pale after the surgery
See
To perceive by the eye; to have knowledge of the existence and apparent qualities of by the organs of sight; to behold; to descry; to view.
I will now turn aside, and see this great sight.
Look
Search or seek;
We looked all day and finally found the child in the forest
Look elsewhere for the perfect gift!
See
To perceive by mental vision; to form an idea or conception of; to note with the mind; to observe; to discern; to distinguish; to understand; to comprehend; to ascertain.
Go, I pray thee, see whether it be well with thy brethren.
Jesus saw that he answered discreetly.
Who's so grossThat seeth not this palpable device?
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
See
To follow with the eyes, or as with the eyes; to watch; to regard attentively; to look after.
I had a mind to see him out, and therefore did not care for contradicting him.
Look
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
See
To have an interview with; especially, to make a call upon; to visit; as, to go to see a friend.
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death.
Look
Convey by one's expression;
She looked her devotion to me
See
To fall in with; to meet or associate with; to have intercourse or communication with; hence, to have knowledge or experience of; as, to see military service.
Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.
Improvement in wisdom and prudence by seeing men.
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
See
To accompany in person; to escort; to wait upon; as, to see one home; to see one aboard the cars.
Look
Accord in appearance with;
You don't look your age!
See
In poker and similar games at cards, to meet (a bet), or to equal the bet of (a player), by staking the same sum.
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
See
To have the power of sight, or of perceiving by the proper organs; to possess or employ the sense of vision; as, he sees distinctly.
Whereas I was blind, now I see.
See
Figuratively: To have intellectual apprehension; to perceive; to know; to understand; to discern; - often followed by a preposition, as through, or into.
For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Many sagacious persons will find us out, . . . and see through all our fine pretensions.
See
To be attentive; to take care; to give heed; - generally with to; as, to see to the house.
See that ye fall not out by the way.
Cassio's a proper man, let me see now, -To get his place.
See
The seat within a bishop's diocese where his cathedral is located
See
Perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight;
You have to be a good observer to see all the details
Can you see the bird in that tree?
He is blind--he cannot see
See
Perceive (an idea or situation) mentally;
Now I see!
I just can't see your point
Does she realize how important this decision is?
I don't understand the idea
See
Perceive or be contemporaneous with;
We found Republicans winning the offices
You'll see a lot of cheating in this school
I want to see results
The 1960 saw the rebellion of the younger generation against established traditions
I want to see results
See
Imagine; conceive of; see in one's mind;
I can't see him on horseback!
I can see what will happen
I can see a risk in this strategy
See
Deem to be;
She views this quite differently from me
I consider her to be shallow
I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do
See
Get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally;
I learned that she has two grown-up children
I see that you have been promoted
See
See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie
See
Find out, learn, or determine with certainty, usually by making an inquiry or other effort;
I want to see whether she speaks French
See whether it works
Find out if he speaks Russian
Check whether the train leaves on time
See
Come together;
I'll probably see you at the meeting
How nice to see you again!
See
Be careful or certain to do something; make certain of something;
He verified that the valves were closed
See that the curtains are closed
Control the quality of the product
See
Go to see for professional or business reasons;
You should see a lawyer
We had to see a psychiatrist
See
Go to see for a social visit;
I went to see my friend Mary the other day
See
Visit a place, as for entertainment;
We went to see the Eiffel Tower in the morning
See
Take charge of or deal with;
Could you see about lunch?
I must attend to this matter
She took care of this business
See
Receive as a specified guest;
The doctor will see you now
The minister doesn't see anybody before noon
See
Date regularly; have a steady relationship with;
Did you know that she is seeing an older man?
He is dating his former wife again!
See
See and understand, have a good eye;
The artist must first learn to see
See
Deliberate or decide;
See whether you can come tomorrow
Let's see--which movie should we see tonight?
See
Observe as if with an eye;
The camera saw the burglary and recorded it
See
Observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect;
The customs agent examined the baggage
I must see your passport before you can enter the country
See
Go or live through;
We had many trials to go through
He saw action in Viet Nam
See
Accompany or escort;
I'll see you to the door
See
Match or meet;
I saw the bet of one of my fellow players
See
Make sense of; assign a meaning to;
What message do you see in this letter?
How do you interpret his behavior?
See
Compare (used in texts to point the reader to another location in the text)
Look vs. See
Look means to direct our eyes on something or someone and pay attention to it, whereas see is defined as glancing something that comes into our sight without particular attention. Look is a voluntary action. On the other hand, see is an involuntary action.
Look is an intentional act, which means that we pay special attention to something with our will. On the other hand, see is an unintentional act, which means to notice or observe something casually without our will. We look with care and attention to full detail, whereas we see without care and attention to full detail.
When we look at something or someone, we try to see forcefully and concentrate on the object. On the flip side, we see something when an image comes before our eyes, and it may not be deliberate. Look cannot be used when we are talking about sports, matches, or public performances, which may include films, theatres, and dramas, etc. On the other hand, see can be used with sports and entertainment.
When look is used with an object, “to” is used after look, whereas when we use see with an object, “to” is not used. Look is used to state an object specifically. On the other hand, see is used to make simple statements.
Look can be used to describe an action, while see is used to manifest that experience has completed. We use look in progressive actions, but we don’t use see in progressive actions.
What is Look?
Look means to intentionally concentrate over something and pay attention to its details over time. Look is a regular verb that can be used transitively or intransitively, which means that it can convey its meaning with or without an object.
Look is not a programmed or unconscious action. Looking can be defined as a deliberate action that gives full information about the object. This verb can be used for progressive actions but generally is not used for moving things.
Types
- Goggling: Looking with astonishment is called goggling.
- Examining: Observing, noticing, and looking over carefully is called examining.
- Scrutinizing: Inspecting carefully for accuracy is called scrutinizing.
- Gazing: Constant looking for a long time is called gazing.
- Gawking: Looking with amazement is called gawking.
- Observing: Looking attentively is called observing.
- Beholding: Seeing with attention is called beholding.
- Leering: Looking suggestively and obliquely is called leering.
- Scowling: Looking with displeasure is called scowling.
- Ogling: Staring or looking with romantic intentions is called ogling.
Examples
- Alina looked up as Haris entered the lounge hastily.
- Look at this picture. Can you recognize me here?
- I like to look at the moon at night when everyone is asleep.
- The lovely couple just looked at each other’s eyes and smiled.
- Ali looked around furtively to see if someone had watched him stealing the gold and the money.
- Just look at the rain. See how heavily it’s raining.
- I am trying to look at the tower, but I do not see anything.
What is See?
See means to observe the surrounding from eyes. An image forming in front of the eyes and noticing the scene with eyes is called seeing. It is not a gaze or an intentional act of focusing on something. It is related to the things we cannot escape.
The word “See” refers to the automatic visualizing of events. It is not as deliberate as look. See is not a regular verb. This irregular verb cannot be used for progressive tenses or moving things. “Saw” is marked as the past tense of see, whereas “Seen” is considered the past participle of see.
Types
- Frowning: Making angry facial expressions or looking at something displeasantly is called frowning.
- Blinking: Rapid opening and closing of eyes are called blinking.
- Winking: Partly closing of one eye showing something as a joke is called winking.
- Glancing: Taking a quick look at something or someone is called glancing.
- Glimpsing: Seeing someone for a very short interval is called glimpsing.
- Gaping: Seeing something with your mouth opened in amusement and bewilderment is called gaping.
- Staring: Looking constantly at something or someone for a long duration is called staring.
- Peeping: Seeing something furtively and secretively trying not to be disclosed is called peeping.
- Peering: Looking at something carefully, which is not clear before your eyes are called peering.
- Squinting: Looking with partly closed eyes is called squinting.
Examples
- I can see white clouds all over the sky.
- Did you see Ryan? I think he was waiting for you in the bar.
- Ahmad saw her running out of her house wildly.
