lookin'

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitiveinformaldialect

   An informal way of writing 'looking', showing that the final g sound is dropped in casual speech.

   Grammar: It replaces 'looking' in the progressive form, so it follows a form of 'be': I'm lookin', she was lookin'.

   Patterns

   • be lookin' for something
   • be lookin' at someone
   • be lookin' good

   I'm lookin' for my keys — have you seen them?

   He was lookin' at the menu when the waiter came over.

   What are you lookin' at?

2. 2verbintransitiveinformalmusic

   Used in informal writing to show relaxed or regional pronunciation of 'looking' in set phrases and song titles.

   Grammar: Common in titles and lyrics, where it stands alone after a form of 'be': I've been lookin'.

   Patterns

   • be lookin' for something
   • keep lookin'

   The song is called 'I've Been Lookin' for You'.

   Keep lookin' — you'll find it eventually.

Common combinations

lookin' for

She's still lookin' for a job.

lookin' at

Stop lookin' at your phone and listen.

lookin' good

You're lookin' good today!

lookin' forward to

I'm lookin' forward to the weekend.

Synonyms and how they differ

looking

The standard spelling; use this in all normal writing, and keep 'lookin'' only for casual dialogue or lyrics.

searching

Focuses on trying to find something and is more formal; 'lookin'' is just the relaxed spoken form of 'looking'.

Word family

look verb

The base verb meaning to direct your eyes at something.

looker noun

Informal word for an attractive person.

Commonly confused: lookin' or looking?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “lookin'”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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