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/siː/
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To take in something through sight or understanding.
Practice using see in conversation until it feels natural

Examples

  • How do you see this problem?
  • The see was vacant for a year.
  • For details, see the table below.
  • Try to see it from her side.
  • He cannot see himself living abroad.

Similar words

observe
consider
date
notice
picture
check
live through
perceive
meet
think over

Meanings

Notice with the eyes

verb
sight
neutral
To become aware of someone or something through your eyes.

Examples

  • I can see the moon.
  • She saw a bird in the tree.
  • Have you seen my keys?
  • We see the sea from our window.
  • He saw her wave goodbye.

Similar words

notice
spot
observe

Have the power of sight

verb
sight
neutral
To be able to use your eyes to notice things.

Examples

  • I cannot see without my glasses.
  • She can see clearly now.
  • He could not see in the dark.
  • Can you see well enough to read?
  • The child sees better with glasses.

Similar words

have sight
perceive

Watch a performance

verb
entertainment
neutral
To watch a film, show, game, or other performance.

Examples

  • We saw a film last night.
  • Did you see the match?
  • She wants to see the play.
  • I have seen that show twice.
  • They saw the band perform.

Similar words

watch
view

Look up information

verb
reference
neutral
To look at a page or ask a person for information or help.

Examples

  • See page ten for the answer.
  • For details, see the table below.
  • See a member of staff for help.
  • Please see the note at the end.
  • To learn more, see the next chapter.

Similar words

consult
check
refer to

Meet by chance

verb
social
neutral
To notice and meet someone while you are somewhere.

Examples

  • I saw Anna at the market.
  • Guess who I saw yesterday!
  • She saw an old friend on the bus.
  • We saw your brother at the party.
  • It was nice to see you there.

Similar words

meet
encounter
run into

Visit a person or place

verb
social
neutral
To go to spend time with someone or visit a place.

Examples

  • Come and see us soon.
  • I saw my parents on Sunday.
  • We went to see the palace.
  • She sees her grandmother each week.
  • They saw the city during their trip.

Similar words

visit
call on

Have an appointment

verb
appointments
neutral
To meet someone for a professional reason or a planned discussion.

Examples

  • You should see a doctor.
  • I am seeing the dentist tomorrow.
  • She saw her lawyer at noon.
  • Can I see the manager?
  • He saw the mechanic about the car.

Similar words

consult
meet
visit

Spend time romantically

verb
relationships
neutral
To have a romantic relationship with someone.

Examples

  • Are you seeing anyone?
  • She has been seeing him for a month.
  • They started seeing each other in spring.
  • He is not seeing anyone now.
  • I heard she was seeing a colleague.

Similar words

date
go out with

Understand

verb
thought
neutral
To understand a point, reason, or explanation.

Examples

  • I see what you mean.
  • Do you see the problem?
  • She finally saw why he left.
  • I cannot see the joke.
  • Now I see how it works.

Similar words

understand
grasp
get
follow

Think of in a particular way

verb
opinion
neutral
To have a particular opinion or view of something.

Examples

  • I see it differently.
  • She sees him as a friend.
  • How do you see this problem?
  • They saw the change as a chance.
  • Try to see it from her side.

Similar words

view
regard
consider

Picture a possibility

verb
imagination
neutral
To imagine someone or something in a possible future situation.

Examples

  • I can see her becoming a teacher.
  • He cannot see himself living abroad.
  • We see a better future for the town.
  • Can you see them winning?
  • She saw herself on stage one day.

Similar words

imagine
picture
envision

Find out

verb
discovery
neutral
To discover something by looking, asking, or waiting.

Examples

  • Go and see who is at the door.
  • I will see if the shop is open.
  • We will see what happens.
  • She went to see how the children were.
  • Let us see whether the bus has come.

Similar words

check
find out
discover

Consider before deciding

verb
decision
neutral
To think about a choice before giving an answer.

Examples

  • Can I come? We will see.
  • I will see what I can do.
  • She needs to see whether she has time.
  • We must see if the plan will work.
  • I will see about your request.

Similar words

consider
decide
think over

Make sure

verb
responsibility
neutral
To make sure that something is done.

Examples

  • See that the door is locked.
  • Please see that everyone gets a seat.
  • She saw that the children were safe.
  • I will see that the letter is sent.
  • See that the lights are off before you leave.

Similar words

ensure
make sure
check

Live through

verb
experience
neutral
To experience something or be present when it happens.

Examples

  • She has seen many changes.
  • I never thought I would see this day.
  • He had seen hard times before.
  • The family saw a difficult winter.
  • We have seen great progress this year.

Similar words

experience
live through
witness

Be the setting of an event

verb
history
neutral
For a time or place to be when or where an event happens.

Examples

  • The town saw many changes.
  • Last year saw record sales.
  • The stadium has seen great matches.
  • The summer saw a rise in visitors.
  • This street has seen many celebrations.

Similar words

witness
host

Accompany someone

verb
travel
neutral
To go with someone for their safety or to show the way.

Examples

  • I will see you home.
  • She saw the child across the road.
  • Can you see our guests out?
  • He saw her to the station.
  • The nurse saw us to the door.

Similar words

escort
accompany
guide

Bishop's area of authority

noun
religion
formal
The area or office under a bishop's authority.

Examples

  • He became bishop of the see of York.
  • The see was vacant for a year.
  • She studied the history of the see.
  • The bishop moved to a different see.
  • The old see covered several towns.

Similar words

diocese
bishopric

Etymology

The verb comes from Old English sēon, related to Dutch zien and German sehen, while the church noun comes from Latin sedes, “seat”, through Anglo-Norman French.

FAQ

What does see mean?

Most often, to notice something with your eyes.

What is the past tense of see?

It is saw.

What is the past participle of see?

It is seen.

Can see mean understand?

Yes. 'I see' can mean 'I understand'.

What does 'see a doctor' mean?

It means to have an appointment with a doctor.

What does 'seeing someone' mean?

It can mean being in a romantic relationship with that person.

Comments & contributions

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