look up

US/ˌlʊk ˈʌp/

phraseB13 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To look up a word or a fact is to search for it in a book or online. You do not know it, so you go and find it.

It splits round an object, so you look it up. Before search engines this meant a dictionary or a directory, and the phrase has survived the change of technology completely. There is a second sense meaning to visit somebody you have not seen for a while, as in look me up when you are next in town. And things looking up means the situation is improving, which is one of the warmest phrases in English.

Definitions of look up

1phraselook upTo search for information in a reference source.B1
“Look up the number in the directory.”
2phrasevisitTo visit or contact someone you have not seen for a while.B2
“Do look up your cousin while you are there.”
3phrasesituationOf a situation, to improve.B2
“Things are finally starting to look up.”

← Vocabulary

look up

US/ˌlʊk ˈʌp/

phraseB13 meaningsNot compared — the two pools are counted one word at a time, so a phrase has no score

To look up a word or a fact is to search for it in a book or online. You do not know it, so you go and find it.

Definitions of look up

1phraselook upTo search for information in a reference source.B1
“Look up the number in the directory.”
2phrasevisitTo visit or contact someone you have not seen for a while.B2
“Do look up your cousin while you are there.”
3phrasesituationOf a situation, to improve.B2
“Things are finally starting to look up.”