Words for looking

Hello, and welcome to Myriora English! There are lots of ways to look at something. Some are quick, and some take a long time.

First, some quick ones. To glance is to look quickly, just for a moment. To glimpse is to see something for a moment, not clearly. To peep is to look quickly and secretly, often through a small gap. And to scan is to look quickly over something to find what you want.

Now some long ones. To stare is to look at something for a long time, without looking away. To gaze is to look for a long time, often dreamily. To peer is to look very closely, because something is hard to see. And to examine is to look at something carefully, to find out about it.

Let's try one together. He looked hard through the thick fog, trying to see the boat. Which word fits best? Say it out loud!

Peered! He peered through the fog, because the boat was hard to see. Well done if you said peered!

Here's a common mistake. Mixing up glance and glimpse. I glimpsed at my watch. But you glance at something: that's what you do. A glimpse is what you catch when you see something for a moment. I glanced at my watch.

Your turn! The doctor blank the cut very carefully. Which word fits best? Pick the right card. You've got eight seconds, or pause the video. Go!

Time's up! Examined! To examine is to look at something carefully, to find out about it.

Quick review. Glance, glimpse, peep and scan are quick. Stare, gaze, peer and examine take longer. You glance at something, and you catch a glimpse of it. See you next time!