Look at versus Look up

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Hello

Please see below:

1- What are you doing looking at the meaning of such a simple word in the dictionary!

2-What are you doing looking up the meaning of such a simple word in the dictionary!

Are both of them correct?

Tom

2

Hi Tom

They’re both grammatically correct, but they don’t mean precisely the same thing, do they. :wink:

Amy

3

Thanks, Amy

Looking up: see, read and understand ( I think so)
Looking at : See only (I think so)

Tom

4

Hi Tom

The phrasal verb “look up” means “search for and find” in your sentence.

An additional little technicality: If you’re looking up a word, you are in the process of trying to find the word and its definition in the dictionary (present continuous). Therefore it’s quite possible that you’re not looking at the word or reading the definition yet. :wink:

Amy