looking forward
6 synonyms and 1 antonyms for looking forward, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Feeling pleased and excited about something that is going to happen; used in the pattern "looking forward to" plus a noun or an -ing verb.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
Feeling pleased and excited about something that is going to happen; used in the pattern "looking forward to" plus a noun or an -ing verb.
“I'm looking forward to the weekend.”
Opposites
2. verb
Turning attention to the future rather than the past, especially in planning.
“Looking forward, the biggest risk is a rise in energy costs.”
How to use looking forward
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral; "I look forward to hearing from you" is a standard email closing.
Frequently asked questions
Is it "looking forward to hear" or "looking forward to hearing"?
"Looking forward to hearing from you" is correct. Here "to" is a preposition, not part of an infinitive, so the verb after it takes the -ing form — the same reason we say "looking forward to seeing you", not "to see you".
What is the difference between "I look forward to" and "I'm looking forward to"?
They mean the same thing, but the simple form "I look forward to" is slightly more formal and is the usual choice in business emails and letters. "I'm looking forward to" sounds warmer and more personal.
Can you say "looking forward" on its own?
Yes, but only in the sense of considering the future, as in "Looking forward, we expect demand to fall." When it expresses pleasant anticipation it needs "to" and an object.