Crosswords are weird. You’re sitting there with a coffee, staring at a grid, and the look at crossword clue pops up for the third time this week. It feels easy. It feels like the answer should just jump out at you, but your brain stalls. Is it a verb? A noun? A weird piece of slang from the 1920s that only Will Shortz remembers?
Honestly, the "look at" clue is a classic "chameleon" in the world of puzzling. Depending on the day of the week or the specific constructor's mood, that simple phrase could lead you toward five different four-letter words or a complex ten-letter phrase that makes you want to throw your pen across the room.
The Most Common Answers for Look At
When you see "look at" in a New York Times or LA Times puzzle, your first instinct is usually correct. Most of the time, the constructor is looking for a synonym. But which one?
EYE is the undisputed heavyweight champion here. If it's three letters, it’s almost certainly EYE. But wait. If the clue is "Look at rudely," you’re probably looking for OGLE. OGLE is a crossword staple because of those beautiful vowels. It fits into tight corners where other words die.
Then you have SCAN. This usually shows up when the context implies a quick glance or a digital process. If the grid is feeling a bit more formal, you might see VIEW or HEED.
But crosswords aren't always that linear. Sometimes "look at" isn't the definition; it’s the wordplay.
When Look At Isn't Just a Verb
Sometimes the clue is "Look at!" with an exclamation point. That tiny bit of punctuation changes everything. Suddenly, you aren't searching for a synonym for "observe." You're looking for an interjection.
LO and BEHOLD are the big ones. "Lo" is a gift to crossword constructors. Two letters, starts with L, ends with O—it's the ultimate "glue" word used to connect difficult sections of a grid. If you see "Look at!" in a Monday puzzle and it’s two letters long, just pen in LO and move on with your life.
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The Multi-Word Headache
Lately, constructors have been getting cheeky. Instead of a single word, they want a phrase. "Look at" could be the definition for TAKE IN, EYEBALL, or even GLANCE OVER.
There was a famous 2023 puzzle where the clue was simply "Look at," and the answer was CHECK OUT. If you were stuck on that one, you aren't alone. The problem with "Check out" is that it’s also a clue for leaving a hotel or dying. That's the beauty—and the absolute frustration—of English. One phrase, a dozen lives.
Why This Clue Type Ranks So High in Difficulty
The reason you're probably searching for this right now is that "look at" is incredibly vague. In linguistics, we call these "low-context" clues. Without the surrounding letters (the "crosses"), the word "look" could mean anything from a physical action to a fashion style.
David Hoyt, a well-known giant in the world of puzzles and Jumbles, often talks about how simplicity is the hardest thing to solve. If I give you a clue like "18th-century French philosopher who wrote Candide," you either know it's Voltaire or you don't. It’s binary. But "Look at"? That could be anything. It forces your brain to cycle through hundreds of possibilities.
The Role of Crosses
In a well-constructed puzzle, the crosses (the words intersecting your target) should provide the flavor. If you have an G and an L, you're looking at OGLE or OGLE AT. If you have an S and an E, maybe it's SEE.
But what if the crosses are also vague? That’s what we call a "Natick."
A "Natick" is a term coined by Rex Parker (Michael Sharp), the famous crossword blogger. it refers to a point in a puzzle where two obscure words or clues cross, making it impossible to solve unless you happens to know one of the specific niche facts.
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While "Look at" isn't usually an obscure fact, it can become a Natick if the intersecting words are equally flexible.
Decoding the Context Clues
To master the look at crossword clue, you have to become a bit of a detective. You need to look at the "tense" and the "mood" of the clue.
- Check the Tense: If the clue is "Looked at," the answer must end in -ED or be an irregular past tense like SAW. If it's "Looking at," expect an -ING ending like EYING (or the alternative spelling EYEING—constructors love both).
- Check the Part of Speech: Is "look" being used as a noun? "A look at" might lead you to STARE or GLANCE.
- Look for Modifiers: "Look at intently" almost always leads to PEER or GAZE. "Look at briefly" is usually SCAN.
Real-World Examples from Recent Puzzles
Let's look at some actual data from the last couple of years. This isn't just theory; this is how the pros actually build these grids.
In a New York Times Sunday puzzle (the big one), "Look at" was once the clue for READ. Think about it. When you look at a book, you're reading it. It's a "sideways" way of thinking that defines late-week puzzles (Thursday through Sunday).
In a Wall Street Journal puzzle, the clue was "Look at again," and the answer was RESCAN. Not the most elegant word, but it happens.
In the USA Today crossword, which tends to be a bit more straightforward and accessible, "Look at" frequently results in SEE or VIEW.
The Evolution of the Clue
Crosswords aren't static. They evolve with the language. Twenty years ago, "look at" would never have been PEEP. But today? With social media and "sneaky peeks," PEEP is a very common answer.
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We’re also seeing more modern slang. STARE DOWN or GIVE THE EYE are becoming more common in those massive 15x15 grids. Even WATCH has seen a resurgence, especially when the clue involves television or a performance.
Variations You'll Definitely See
- Look at scornfully: SNEER
- Look at with wonder: GAPE
- Look at with love: ADORE (A bit of a stretch, but it happens!)
- Look at lustfully: OGLE (The most common "lustful" answer in history)
- Look at the menu: ORDER (This is a "trick" clue)
How to Get Better at Identifying These
If you're tired of getting stuck, the best thing you can do is start a "mental database" of four-letter synonyms for vision. Seriously.
The crossword world lives on four-letter words. OGLE, GAZE, PEER, SCAN, VIEW, NOTE, HEED. If you know those seven words, you can solve about 80% of all "look at" clues.
Another tip: look for the "hidden" hint. If the clue is "Look at a star," it might be GAZE. If the clue is "Look at a problem," it might be STUDY. The object being "looked at" usually dictates the verb.
The Psychological Trap of the Simple Clue
There’s a reason we struggle with these. It’s called "functional fixedness." We see the word "look" and our brain locks onto the physical act of using our eyes. We forget that "look" can also mean "search" (as in SEEK) or "appear" (as in SEEM).
If you’re stuck, stop thinking about eyes. Think about perception. Think about analysis. Think about appearance.
The next time you’re face-to-face with the look at crossword clue, don't just guess. Count the boxes. Look at the crosses. And remember that the most obvious answer—EYE—is usually the one the constructor is trying to hide behind something slightly more clever.
Actionable Next Steps for Solvers
- Audit your vowels: If you have an O and an E, write in OGLE immediately. It's the most common answer for this specific clue length and type.
- Check for "slang indicators": If the clue is "Look at, in slang," think EYEBALL or PEEP.
- Keep a crossword dictionary handy: Not to cheat, but to learn. Seeing the list of synonyms helps train your brain to see the patterns constructors use.
- Practice with Monday puzzles: These clues are most common on Mondays and Tuesdays. Mastering them there will give you the confidence to tackle the "tricky" versions on Fridays.
Crosswords are just a conversation between you and the person who built the grid. They're trying to trick you, but they also want you to solve it. Once you realize "Look at" is just a placeholder for a dozen different possibilities, the grid starts to open up. You stop staring at the white space and start seeing the patterns.