look through

look through

English

Pronunciation

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Verb

look through (third-person singular simple present looks through, present participle looking through, simple past and past participle looked through)

1. Used other than with a figurative or idiomatic meaning: see look,‎ through.
2. (Should we delete⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) To gaze through a gap or aperture.

   He looked through the binoculars at the bird.

3. To take a view of the contents of; search in, either with the eyes or by hand.

   I looked through the magazine, but it didn't seem very interesting.

   Airport security looked through her purse and confiscated her nail scissors.

4. (Can we verify⁽⁺⁾ this sense?) (transitive, archaic) To penetrate with the understanding; to see through.
   • 1829, Richard Holcraft, Tales of Humour and Romance: Selected from Popular German Writers

     I got a small ring to make; when I brought back the finished trinket to him he stared at me with his sparkling eyes, as if he would look through my very soul, and then said: 'Thou art a clever expert fellow […]

   • 1832, The Christian Offering (page 205)

     But a man should have serious consideration enough to look through this deception.

5. (idiomatic, often with "right") To appear or pretend not to see something or someone who is clearly visible.

   I tried to get Michele's attention at the party, but she looked right through me!

See also

• see through
• go through

References

• look through at OneLook Dictionary Search