lookout

lookout — noun

1. a person whose job or duty is to watch carefully for danger, an approaching enem

1.nounB1
Definition

a person whose job or duty is to watch carefully for danger, an approaching enemy, or an expected person or thing, and to warn others if anything happens

Example

The ship's lookout spotted a whale off the starboard side and called the captain at once.

collocation: ship's lookout / tower lookout

Omar volunteered to be the lookout while the others carried the boxes out of the building.

Common collocations
  • ship's lookout
  • forest lookout
  • fire lookout
  • act as a lookout
  • post a lookout
  • lookout for [something]
Synonyms
  • watchman

    focuses on guarding a specific property, especially at night

  • guard

    broader term; may be armed and responsible for protecting people or valuables

  • sentry

    military context; a soldier posted to keep watch at a specific spot

Grammar Patterns

lookout + for [something]

Usage Note

Often used with a modifier describing the location or purpose — e.g. ship's lookout, fire lookout, mountain lookout. Frequently followed by the preposition 'for' to specify what is being watched.

Common Mistakes

He works as a look out at the airport.
He works as a lookout at the airport.
'lookout' is one word when it refers to a person or a place.

2. a high place or structure, such as a tower or a spot on a hill, from which peopl

2.nounB1
Definition

a high place or structure, such as a tower or a spot on a hill, from which people can watch a wide area for danger, approaching enemies, or interesting activity below

Example

From the lookout at the top of the hill, the rangers could see the whole valley and any approaching weather.

The national park built a wooden lookout tower so visitors could watch birds without disturbing them.

collocation: lookout tower

Common collocations
  • lookout tower
  • lookout post
  • lookout station
  • hilltop lookout
  • mountain lookout
  • climb to a lookout
Synonyms
  • observation post

    more formal and often military; suggests an official position

  • watchtower

    a tall tower specifically built for keeping watch, often with walls or a roof

Grammar Patterns

lookout + over [area]

lookout + for [danger]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 3 (SCENIC VIEW): this sense emphasises safety and surveillance, while sense 3 is about enjoying a beautiful landscape. A lookout tower or station is usually built for practical monitoring rather than recreation.

3. a place, often along a road or on a hilltop, where people pause to admire pleasa

3.nounB2
Definition

a place, often along a road or on a hilltop, where people pause to admire pleasant scenery like mountains, ocean views, or forests

Example

Constanza pulled the car over at a lookout on the coastal highway to watch the sun set over the ocean.

collocation: coastal lookout / scenic lookout

The map showed three lookouts along the mountain road where drivers could stop for photographs.

Common collocations
  • scenic lookout
  • coastal lookout
  • mountain lookout
  • rocky lookout
  • stop at a lookout
  • pull over at a lookout
Synonyms
  • viewpoint

    more common in British English; can be natural or man-made

  • overlook

    American English term for a scenic stopping point, often with a parking area

  • observation deck

    usually a platform built specifically for tourists to get a view

Grammar Patterns

lookout + over [landscape]

Usage Note

Common in travel guides and road signage. This sense is purely recreational — there is no element of danger or surveillance as in senses 1 and 2.

4. the state of actively searching for someone or something, or watching carefully

4.nounB1
Definition

the state of actively searching for someone or something, or watching carefully for something to happen — almost always used in the fixed phrase 'on the lookout (for)'

Example

Sahil is always on the lookout for unusual vinyl records at charity shops and flea markets.

fixed phrase: on the lookout for [something]

The neighbourhood watch group asked everyone to be on the lookout for suspicious activity after dark.

Common collocations
  • on the lookout for
  • be on the lookout
  • stay on the lookout
  • always on the lookout
Synonyms
  • search

    more direct and active; not limited to a fixed phrase

  • watch

    similar meaning but used freely as a verb or noun, not tied to a phrase

Grammar Patterns

on the lookout for [something]

Usage Note

Always used within the prepositional phrase 'on the lookout' followed by 'for'. Common modifiers include 'be', 'stay', 'remain', and 'keep'. Unlike sense 5, this sense emphasises intentional searching rather than continuous vigilance.

Common Mistakes

I'm in the lookout for new shoes.
I'm on the lookout for new shoes.
the correct preposition is 'on', not 'in'.

5. the activity of watching carefully and continuously for danger, trouble, or an e

5.nounB1
Definition

the activity of watching carefully and continuously for danger, trouble, or an expected event — almost always used in the fixed phrase 'keep a lookout (for)'

Example

Lucas asked his little sister to keep a lookout for the ice cream truck while he ran inside for money.

fixed phrase: keep a lookout (for)

The lifeguards kept a sharp lookout for swimmers who drifted too close to the rocky area of the beach.

collocation: sharp lookout / careful lookout

Common collocations
  • keep a lookout
  • keep a sharp lookout
  • keep a careful lookout
  • keep a lookout for
Synonyms
  • vigilance

    more formal noun; describes the quality of being watchful rather than the action

Grammar Patterns

keep a lookout (for [something])

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 4 (ON THE LOOKOUT): 'keep a lookout' emphasises continuous, ongoing vigilance (watching for a period of time), while 'on the lookout' can describe a general state or intention. 'Keep a lookout' is often used when someone is assigned a temporary watching duty.

Idioms

be your own lookout

idiom

used to say that someone is responsible for their own problems or choices, especially when the speaker does not agree with them

If Sari wants to quit school and travel the world, that's her own lookout.

Andrew refused to listen to our advice, so it's his own lookout if things go wrong.

be somebody’s lookout

idiom

It means that someone's action is their own responsibility, even if it seems unwise.

If Tom wants to quit his job, that's his lookout.

She's spending all her savings on a car? That's her lookout.

lookout — verb

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A lookout is someone who watches for danger or an expected event, often as a temporary duty (e.g., a group member posted at the door during a game). A watchman is normally employed to guard a building, factory, or other property, especially at night, and his role involves regular patrols. A guard is a broader term covering anyone who protects people, money, or valuable items — guards may be armed and work in banks, prisons, or at events. A sentry is a military soldier assigned to stand watch at a fixed spot and challenge anyone who approaches. An observer watches carefully but without a protective duty — journalists or scientists may act as observers to monitor and report what happens, not to intervene. For example: 'The gang posted a lookout on the corner (short-term watching).' 'The night watchman checked every door in the warehouse every hour (regular security rounds).' 'The guard at the museum entrance checked every visitor's bag (protective, official role).'

lookout ↗watchmanguard ↗sentryobserver ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • keep a lookout
  • be on the lookout
  • act as a lookout
  • stand lookout
  • post a lookout

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishEnglish

'Lookout' is formed from the verb phrase 'look out' (to watch carefully), first recorded in the early 1700s. The noun sense — a person who watches — appeared around 1690 in naval contexts, where a sailor was stationed high on the mast to watch for other ships, land, or danger. The meaning expanded to high places built for observation (watchtowers, hillside posts) by the mid-1700s, and later to scenic viewpoints. The idiomatic 'be on the lookout' dates from the 1800s. 'Look' comes from Old English 'lōcian' (to see, to gaze), and 'out' from Old English 'ūt' (outside, away from the inside).