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Glite Dictionary
to have a look

to have a look

412 1.3
To check something carefully, for example an essay or a machine
  • phrasal verb
  • /hæv ə lʊk/
: echar un vistazo
  • Please have a look at the report before the meeting starts.
  • let's have a look
  • go and have a look
  • have a closer look

So let's have a look at one more building.

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Examples

  • Listen, Mike, have a look at this dress.

    Patricia Bright

  • I told Mrs. Nicholson I'd have a look and let her know what I thought.

    Fiction book (1992)

  • And today we are going to have a look at these comments together.

  • Would you mind if I had a look around?

    Ezra (2024)

  • Go and have a look, will you?

    Back to Black (2024)

  • We just try to get the information out there so people can have a look at it.

    Academic text (2011)

  • During a break in the rain, Wood takes me out to have a look.

    Academic text (2008)

  • Let's try and have a look at an actual program.

  • So let's have a look to see what it is.

  • I'm sending you the photos right away, so could you have a look at them?

    L.U.N.A. (2021)

Synonyms

to look
vsto have a look
∞ 1.0

To direct the eyes toward something to see it

is more intentional careful attention rather than a simple glance
to look at
vsto have a look
∞ 1.0

Study something carefully to understand it or decide

is less about decision making and more about simple careful attention
to watch
vsto have a look
∞ 1.0

To look at something carefully for some time

involves shorter, single acts of careful attention rather than extended watching
to take a look
vsto have a look
∞ 1.3

To look at something to check it or find information

is mainly a focused careful look rather than possibly quick glances
to study
vsto have a look
∞ 1.0

To look at something carefully to understand it

is immediate attentive viewing rather than lengthy analysis
to examine
vsto have a look
868 2.5

To look at something carefully to find facts or problems

is less thorough and more about a single careful look
to consider
vsto have a look
670 2.4

To look at someone or something carefully to understand it

is immediate visual attention rather than deeper reflective consideration
to go over
vsto have a look
642 2.5

To check something carefully, like papers or work

is a single act of attention rather than a full review process
to observe
vsto have a look
619 2.4

To watch something carefully to learn about it

is more about brief careful attention than longer observation for learning
to look into
vsto have a look
573 2.8

Examine something carefully to find out more

is limited to careful looking rather than a full investigation
to look around
vsto have a look
552 1.0

Turn your head and eyes to see what is around you

is focused on a particular thing rather than scanning the whole area
to view
vsto have a look
357 1.0

To look at something carefully

is a more casual attentive viewing rather than formal inspection
to regard
vsto have a look
241 3.2

To look at someone or something carefully

is more informal careful attention rather than a formal respectful act
to inspect
vsto have a look
202 2.5

To look at something carefully to check if it works or is safe

is general careful attention, not an official quality check
to look through
vsto have a look
180 2.8

To read or check something carefully for mistakes

is about looking carefully in any form, not only through texts
to peer
vsto have a look
149 4.1

To look closely at something that is hard to see

is normal careful attention, not the strained effort to see faint things
to peruse
vsto have a look
32 7.0

To read something slowly and carefully to understand it

applies to visual attention more broadly, not only detailed reading
to pore over
vsto have a look
28 5.5

To study things like books or papers carefully to find information

is general careful visual attention, not just detailed reading tasks
to scope out
vsto have a look
  • Informal
18 5.4

To look carefully at a place or person to get information before you act

is simply careful attention without the purpose of deciding action

Antonyms

to ignore
∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

to overlook
243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

How Careful

to scrutinize
  • US
70 6.2
to examine
868 2.5
to inspect
202 2.5
to have a look
412 1.3
to glance
299 1.5

Surface Forms

have a look infinitive
had a look past
had a look past participle
having a look present participle
has a look third person singular

Morphology

have + a + look

The meaning of 'have a look' is directly derivable from 'have' (to take/experience) combined with the noun 'look' (a brief act of looking): it literally means to take/perform a look or inspect something. This have + a + noun construction is common and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

The phrase have a look comes from the simple idea of taking or getting a look; have means to take or get and a look means to see something. That's why it means 'to look at something carefully or with attention'.