look forward

phrasal verb·1 sense·particle forward

Meanings

1

Feel pleased about something that will happen

Why “forward”? Attention looks forward toward something expected in the future.

I look forward to seeing you.
I feel pleased about seeing you in the future.
Maya looks forward to her first day at college.
Maya feels pleased about her first day at college.

Don't confuse with

look forwardlook ahead

Look forward means feel pleased about something that will happen. Look ahead means think about what will happen in the future.

look forwardlook back

Look forward means feel pleased about a future event. Look back means think about events in the past.

Test yourself

I look forward to seeing you. What does it mean?

Nearby in the meaning map

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