Look quickly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
โฉ
look quickly
look quick-ly
Definitions
action
To direct one's gaze quickly in a particular direction.
Synonyms
glance, glimpse, peek, peeked.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| glance |
Glance is used when you want to take a quick look at something without focusing too much on it. It is often intentional.
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| glimpse |
Glimpse is used when you see something for a very short moment, often accidentally and briefly.
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| peek |
Peek is used when you take a quick, often sneaky, look at something, usually when trying to do so unnoticed.
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| peeked |
Peeked is the past tense of peek. It's used to describe having taken a quick, secret look.
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Examples of usage
- She looked quickly over her shoulder to see who was following her.
- He looked quickly at his watch before rushing out the door.
manner
To perform an action with speed or haste.
Synonyms
hastily, rapidly, speedily, swiftly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| hastily |
Implies doing something with urgency and often carelessness, typically used in situations where there may be a negative outcome due to the rushed nature.
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| swiftly |
Implies prompt and efficient action, frequently used to suggest smoothness and effectiveness.
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| rapidly |
Conveys a sense of high speed but without the implication of carelessness, often used in scientific or formal contexts.
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| speedily |
Similar to 'quickly,' but can sometimes sound more formal or old-fashioned; often used in formal communications.
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Examples of usage
- She looked quickly through the documents to find the relevant information.
- He looked quickly around the room for a place to hide.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Quick facts about “look quickly”
Look quickly is a 2-syllable verb (look quick-ly). On finesentence.com it has 2 meanings, 8 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages.
Did you know?
“look quickly” in psychology
- Human eyes have a limited field of view, and quick looks help us identify important details in our environment rapidly.
- Research shows that quick glances can enhance memory retention by focusing on key elements rather than details.
- The brain can process visual information in as little as 13 milliseconds when looking quickly.
“look quickly” in photography
- In photography, a quick look can determine whether a shot is worth capturing, emphasizing the importance of instinct.
- To capture moments quickly, photographers often use burst mode, taking multiple pictures in rapid succession.
- The technique of 'candids' relies on capturing genuine moments during a quick look, making them feel more authentic.
“look quickly” in cultural expressions
- The phrase 'look quickly' is often used in storytelling to create tension, urging characters to act fast.
- In various cultures, urgency in actions like looking quickly can signify importance, sometimes forewarning of danger or opportunity.
- Quick glances in art and cinema often symbolize fleeting moments or critical turning points in narratives.
Origin of 'look quickly'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'look' comes from Old English 'loka', meaning to see or observe.
- The word 'quickly' is derived from Old English 'cwic', meaning alive or living, which evolved to mean fast.
- Together, the phrase emphasizes both seeing and speed, showcasing the importance of immediate perception.
The word 'look' can be traced back to the Old English word 'lลcian', meaning 'to see, behold'. The addition of 'quickly' as an adverb to 'look' emphasizes the speed or haste with which the action is performed. Over time, 'look quickly' has become a common expression in the English language to describe a swift or hasty action of gazing or observing.