What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
looked
Example
She looked at the clock and realized she was late. [looked: past tense]
Example
He looked around the room, trying to find his keys. [looked: past tense]
Example
I'm looking for my phone, have you seen it? [looking: present participle]
gaze
Example
She gazed out the window, lost in thought. [gazed: past tense]
Example
He couldn't help but gaze at her beauty. [gaze: verb]
Example
The painting held his gaze for several minutes. [gaze: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Looked is more commonly used than gaze in everyday language. Looked is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while gaze is less common and has a more formal and poetic connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between looked and gaze?
Gaze is typically associated with a more formal and poetic tone, while looked is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
