Look forward to — Meaning, Definition & Examples

Definition

1. Feel pleased and excited about something that is going to happen.
2. A polite closing expression in formal emails and letters.

Context Alive

The whole family had been counting down the days on the calendar. They were all looking forward to their summer holiday in Spain, talking about it every evening at dinner. The kids had already packed their bags a week early.

Meanings

2 meanings

1 Feel Pleased and Excited About Something in the Future (Phrasal Verb) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about feeling happy and eager about something that hasn’t happened yet. Imagine a child who has been looking forward to her birthday for weeks, counting the days and telling everyone about her party plans. This is looking forward to something — feeling excited for it to arrive. You might look forward to a holiday after a stressful month, or someone could look forward to seeing an old friend after years apart. Or picture a student looking forward to graduation day, imagining the celebration with family and friends. The word carries that warm sense of anticipation. ✏️ Looking forward to always connects to something positive — you wouldn’t use it for something you dread.

Vivid Example

It had been a long, cold winter and everyone was tired of staying inside. The whole family was looking forward to the spring, already making plans for weekend trips. Even the youngest child kept asking when the warm weather would finally arrive.

2 Polite Closing Expression in Formal Emails and Letters (Phrasal Verb) Very Common ▼

This meaning is about a polite phrase used to end professional writing. Imagine finishing a business email and writing “I look forward to hearing from you” — it sounds professional and shows you expect a reply. This is using look forward to as a formal closing expression. You might write “I look forward to your response” at the end of a job application, or someone could close a letter with “we look forward to working with you.” Or think about receiving an email from a company that ends with “I look forward to meeting you next week.” The phrase carries polite expectation. ✏️ This is one of the most common ways to end professional emails — almost every business message you read will have some version of it.

Vivid Example

She had been preparing for the job interview all week. In her confirmation email, she wrote “I look forward to meeting with you on Monday.” It was a small detail, but it made her message sound polished and professional.

Examples from the Street

“I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”

I’m excited about the weekend and can’t wait for it to arrive

“Look forward to hearing from you!”

I hope and expect to get your reply (common way to end emails)

“I’ve been looking forward to this all week.”

I’ve been anticipating this with excitement since the week began

Common Patterns

look forward to [noun] → feel excited or positive about something coming

look forward to [verb-ing] → anticipate doing something with pleasure (always -ing, never infinitive)

be looking forward to → currently feeling excited about something in the future (continuous form, very common)

really/very much look forward to → emphasise strong excitement or anticipation

I look forward to hearing from you → formal closing line in emails and letters

not look forward to → dread or feel unenthusiastic about something coming

Collocations

3 collocations

look forward to meeting you

anticipate with pleasure seeing you

really looking forward to

eagerly anticipating something

something to look forward to

a positive event in the future to anticipate

Example Sentences

12 examples

1

The kids are really looking forward to the school trip next week

The children are genuinely excited about the class excursion that’s happening in seven days.

2

I’m looking forward to meeting your parents — you’ve told me so much about them

I’m excited about getting to know your mum and dad — you’ve shared so many stories about them.

3

She’s been looking forward to this holiday for months

She’s been counting down to this trip with excitement for the better part of half a year.

4

We very much look forward to welcoming you to our offices next Thursday

We are eager and pleased to have you visit our workplace the coming Thursday.

5

Thank you for your application. I look forward to hearing from you soon

Thanks for submitting your request. I hope and expect to receive your reply in the near future.

6

I’m not looking forward to telling him the bad news

I’m dreading the moment I have to break the unpleasant information to him.

7

After a long week at work, I look forward to just sitting on the sofa and doing nothing

After five exhausting days at the office, I can’t wait to collapse on the couch and completely switch off.

8

He said he’s looking forward to the challenge of running his own business

He said he’s excited about the demanding experience of operating his own company.

9

Everyone’s really looking forward to the concert — tickets sold out in minutes

Everybody is genuinely thrilled about the live performance — all the seats were snapped up almost immediately.

10

I look forward to the day when I can speak English without having to think about every sentence

I can’t wait for the moment when I’m able to communicate in English without needing to carefully plan every phrase.

Learner Examples

★

Students always look forward to the end of term, but the best teachers make them look forward to each lesson too

Learners are always excited about the final day of the semester, but the most skilled instructors also make them eager to attend every single class.

★

I’m really looking forward to the day when my students can hold a full conversation in English without switching back to their first language

I genuinely can’t wait for the moment my learners are able to maintain an entire discussion in English without falling back on their mother tongue.

Phrasal Verbs & Idioms

1 item

Phrasal Verbs

gear up for — prepare excitedly for something

The whole city is gearing up for the annual festival.

Synonyms & Antonyms

6 items

Synonyms

anticipate

expect with excitement

await eagerly

wait with enthusiasm

be excited about

feel positive about future

can't wait for

informal, very eager

Antonyms

dread

fear what's coming

fear

be scared of