What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
look
Example
I looked at the clock and realized I was running late. [looked: past tense]
Example
She looked around the room, trying to find her lost keys. [looked: verb]
Example
He gave me a strange look when I told him the news. [look: noun]
gaze
Example
She gazed out the window, lost in thought. [gazed: past tense]
Example
He gazed at the stars, marveling at their beauty. [gazed: verb]
Example
The couple exchanged a loving gaze before embracing. [gaze: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Look is a more common and versatile word that can be used in various contexts and levels of formality, while gaze is less common and may be considered more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between look and gaze?
Gaze is generally considered more formal and poetic than look, which is more neutral and versatile. However, both words can be used in different levels of formality depending on the context and tone of the sentence.
