adj
Very common
looked
luukt
Looked (adj) means having a particular appearance, as described by a preceding word. Example: “A strange-looked bird sat on the fence outside our kitchen window.”
adj
1
Having a particular appearance, as described by a preceding word.
"A strange-looked bird sat on the fence outside our kitchen window."
"She was a tired-looked traveller after the long flight."
"He gave a puzzled-looked response to the question."
How to use looked
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUsed after a describing word to say how someone or something appeared.
Common mistake
Usually appears as part of a compound like "tired-looked" or "odd-looked" — on its own it is rare and often sounds unnatural; "looking" is far more common in everyday speech.
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A strange-_____ bird sat on the fence outside our kitchen window.
Synonyms
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appeared
seemed
came across
Related words
Rhymes for looked
cooked
smoked
choked
hooked
stoked
crooked
spooked
stroked
overcooked
unprovoked
overlooked
overbooked
See all rhymes for looked →
Frequently asked questions
What does “looked” mean?
The word “looked” means having a particular appearance, as described by a preceding word. In plain terms, used after a describing word to say how someone or something appeared.
How do you pronounce “looked”?
“Looked” is pronounced luukt (/lʊkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “looked” in a sentence?
Here is “looked” used in a sentence: “She was a tired-looked traveller after the long flight.”
What part of speech is “looked”?
“Looked” is an adjective.
Is “looked” a common word?
“Looked” is a very common word in modern English.
Is 'looked' the past tense of 'look'?
Yes. 'Looked' is both the simple past tense and the past participle of the verb 'look.' You use it for completed actions, as in 'she looked out of the window,' and with helping verbs, as in 'he had looked everywhere.' The verb is regular, so it simply adds '-ed' with no spelling change.
What is the difference between 'looked' and 'looking'?
'Looked' is the past form, describing something already done or an appearance in the past, as in 'the house looked empty.' 'Looking' is the present participle, used for ongoing action ('she is looking') or in appearance compounds like 'good-looking.' One points to the past; the other to continuous or present description.
How do you use 'looked' to describe appearance?
When 'looked' follows a subject and precedes a describing word, it reports how someone or something seemed. For example, 'he looked tired,' 'the soup looked delicious,' or 'she looked happy.' Here 'looked' works like 'seemed' or 'appeared,' linking the subject to the impression it gave rather than describing an action.
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