1.
to try to find something lost
“I'm looking for my phone.”
“She's looking for a new job.”
“Are you looking for me?”
Synonyms: to search for, to seek
Phrasal verb
What does look for mean?
Meaning: to try to find something or someone
B1
This page for:
Quick answer
Look for = to try to find something or someone. I'm looking for my keys = I can't find my keys and I am trying to find them. It is not separable: look for the keys ✓ / look the keys for ❌. With a pronoun: look for them.
Meanings of the phrasal verb
2.
to try to find something you want
common“They're looking for talent.”
“I'm looking for a quiet hotel.”
Synonyms: to seek, to want
Word order
Inseparable
The object goes after the particle, never between the verb and the particle.
Forms
- Present Simple:
- look for
- Past Simple:
- looked for
- Past participle:
- looked for
- -ing form:
- looking for
Common mistakes to avoid
Look for is not look after
Look for = to try to find (something lost). Look after = to take care of. I'm looking for my dog = my dog is lost. I'm looking after my dog = I give my dog food and water.
Not separable: nothing goes in the middle
Look for is not separable. I'm looking for my keys ✓ / I'm looking my keys for ❌. With a pronoun, the pronoun goes after for: I'm looking for them.
Look for or search for?
They mean almost the same. Look for is common and informal. Search for is more formal, often for a careful search (the police, scientists): The police are searching for the thief. And do not forget for: I'm looking my phone ❌.
Practice quiz
Question 1 / 3The Big Challenge question bank
Related pages: look for
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Look for: you understand the rule. Now practise it.
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Frequently asked questions
What does look for mean?+
Look for = to try to find something that is lost, or someone who is not there. It also means to try to find something that you want. I'm looking for my keys. It is a very common phrasal verb.
Is look for separable?+
No, it is not separable. The object always comes after for: look for the keys ✓, never look the keys for ❌. With a pronoun: look for them ✓.
What is the difference between look for and search for?+
They are very close. Look for is common in everyday English. Search for is more formal, and it means looking carefully, step by step. We searched for hours = we looked everywhere for a long time.
What is the difference between look for, look after and look at?+
Look at = to turn your eyes towards something. Look for = to try to find something. Look after = to take care of someone or something. These are three different phrasal verbs with look: learn them together.
How do you say that you are looking for a job?+
I'm looking for a job. This is meaning 2 (to try to find something you want). It is very common: I've been looking for a summer job for 3 weeks = I started 3 weeks ago and I am still looking.
Related phrasal verbs
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/phrasal-verbs/look-for
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.