look for

Short definition: The phrase look for means to try to find something or someone by searching carefully, often because it is missing or needed.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the phrasal verb look for? This is one of the most common expressions in everyday English. It usually means trying to find something or someone, but it can also describe searching for opportunities, solutions, or even certain qualities in a person. The tone can be simple and practical or more thoughtful and intentional, depending on what you are searching for. Below are detailed meanings with realistic examples so you can clearly understand how look for works in daily English.

look for v. /ˈlʊk fɔːr/

Forms: look for, looks for, looked for, looking for
Related: search v., seek v., find v., explore v.
Syllable: look-for

(Verb) To try to find something that is lost or needed.
To look for something most commonly means actively searching for it. This can be physical, like searching for your keys, or practical, like trying to find a document or address. It focuses on the effort to locate something that isn’t immediately visible.

I’m looking for my phone because I can’t remember where I left it.

She spent an hour looking for her missing passport before the trip.

He is looking for a new apartment closer to his workplace.

Synonyms: search for, seek, hunt for, try to find, explore for, scan for, track down, check for, pursue, investigate, browse for, scout for
Antonyms: ignore, overlook, disregard, avoid searching, stop looking, abandon search, neglect, miss deliberately, dismiss, give up on finding, forget about, leave alone
(Verb) To expect or anticipate something.
Look for can also mean expecting something to happen. In this sense, it’s about anticipation rather than physical searching. It often appears in formal or written English.

We are looking for improvements in performance next quarter.

Investors are looking for signs of economic recovery.

She is looking for better results after the recent changes.

Synonyms: expect, anticipate, await, hope for, foresee, predict, count on, assume, plan for, prepare for, watch for, look ahead to
Antonyms: doubt, dismiss possibility, ignore expectation, rule out, disregard outcome, not expect, underestimate, be surprised by, overlook likelihood, reject forecast, avoid anticipation, ignore signals
(Verb) To want certain qualities or characteristics.
In many situations, look for means wanting or preferring certain qualities, especially when hiring someone, choosing a partner, or selecting something important. It focuses on standards and preferences rather than physical searching.

Employers often look for candidates with strong communication skills.

She’s looking for honesty and kindness in a relationship.

When choosing a car, many people look for safety and reliability.

Synonyms: seek qualities, prefer, desire, aim for, value, prioritize, target, select for, require, want, search out traits, choose based on
Antonyms: accept anything, settle for less, ignore qualities, disregard standards, lower expectations, accept flaws blindly, overlook criteria, reject good traits, avoid preferences, dismiss standards, compromise completely, be indifferent to qualities

Conversation Using the Phrasal Verb Look for

In a busy city center, Julian and Elena are searching for a specific location. This dialogue explores look for, which means to try to find someone or something.

Julian: I’ve been trying to look for that new bookstore for twenty minutes, but I think I might have written down the wrong street name.

Elena: Let’s look for it together; I noticed a small sign earlier that might lead us in the right direction toward the main plaza.

Julian: I read that many people look for a job that offers a good work-life balance rather than just a high salary and a fancy title.

Elena: I noticed that you always look for the best deals when we go grocery shopping to make sure we stay within our monthly budget.

Julian: If you look for the positive side of every situation, you’ll find that you feel much happier and more resilient in your daily life.

Elena: I saw a group of volunteers look for a missing kitten in the neighborhood until they finally found it hiding under a parked car.

Julian: It’s important to look for evidence that supports your claims when you are writing a research paper for a university literature class.

Elena: I agree; I’m going to look for a new pair of hiking boots this weekend because my old ones are starting to fall apart at the seams.

Julian: I’m glad we managed to look for the café together; it’s a wonderful spot and the coffee is exactly what I needed right now.

Elena: Me too; once we look for the exit of the park, we can head back to the station and catch our train home before it gets dark.

Phrases Containing the Phrasal Verb Look For

The phrases below show how the phrasal verb look for is used to talk about searching, trying to find something, or expecting a particular result.

Look for a job

To search for employment.

After graduating from university, she began to look for a job that matched her skills and long-term career goals.

Look for information

To search for specific details.

Before making a decision, it’s wise to look for information from reliable and trustworthy sources.

Look for a solution

To try to find an answer to a problem.

Instead of blaming each other, the team agreed to look for a solution that would benefit everyone.

Look for an opportunity

To seek a favorable chance.

Entrepreneurs constantly look for opportunities to expand their businesses into new markets.

Look for help

To seek assistance.

When the situation became overwhelming, she decided to look for help from a trusted mentor.

Look for evidence

To search for proof.

The detective carefully looked for evidence that could connect the suspect to the crime scene.

Look for answers

To search for explanations.

He spent hours looking for answers to the difficult questions in his textbook.

Look for a sign

To seek an indication or signal.

She kept looking for a sign that would confirm she was making the right decision.

Look for your keys

To search for a lost item.

I had to look for my keys for nearly thirty minutes before finding them under the sofa.

Look for improvement

To expect progress.

Managers always look for improvement in productivity after implementing new strategies.

Look for a candidate

To search for someone suitable.

The company is looking for a candidate who has both technical expertise and leadership skills.

Look for mistakes

To search for errors.

Please look for mistakes in the document before submitting it to the client.

Look for inspiration

To seek creative ideas.

Artists often look for inspiration in nature, music, and everyday experiences.

Look for guidance

To seek direction or advice.

When faced with uncertainty, many people look for guidance from experienced professionals.

Look for growth

To expect development.

Investors look for growth opportunities in emerging industries.

Look for support

To seek assistance or encouragement.

During challenging times, communities look for support from local organizations.

Look for new ideas

To search for innovation.

The design team met to look for new ideas that could refresh their product line.

Look for a better option

To seek an improved alternative.

If the first proposal doesn’t meet expectations, we should look for a better option.

Look for progress

To expect positive change.

Teachers regularly look for progress in their students’ performance.

Look for feedback

To seek opinions or evaluations.

After launching the product, the company began to look for feedback from customers to improve future versions.

Words Rhyme with look for

book store

cook more

hook door

took shore

shook floor

brook war

crook lore

look score

shook poor

took your

for

door

floor

shore

store

score

war

lore

poor

your

explore

ignore

restore

implore

adore

before

galore

outdoor

indoor

POS: Verb Phrase