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noun Very common

seeing

SEE-ihng

Seeing (noun) means the ability or act of perceiving with the eyes. Example: “Seeing is believing, as the old saying goes.”

noun
1
The ability or act of perceiving with the eyes.
"Seeing is believing, as the old saying goes."
conj
1
Given that; since, considering that.
"Seeing as it's raining, let's stay in tonight."

How to Use Seeing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act of using your eyes to look — or, as a conjunction, "given that" or "since."

Common pairings
seeing as seeing that worth seeing

Word Forms

seeings plural

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ is believing, as the old saying goes.

Etymology

Formed from see plus the suffix -ing.

Related Words

Rhymes for seeing

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “seeing” mean?

The word “seeing” means the ability or act of perceiving with the eyes. In plain terms, the act of using your eyes to look — or, as a conjunction, "given that" or "since.".

How do you pronounce “seeing”?

“Seeing” is pronounced SEE-ihng (/ˈsiː.ɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “seeing” in a sentence?

Here is “seeing” used in a sentence: “Seeing is believing, as the old saying goes.”

What part of speech is “seeing”?

Depending on how it is used, “seeing” can be a noun and a conjunction.

Is “seeing” a common word?

“Seeing” is a very common word in modern English.

How many meanings does “seeing” have?

“Seeing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the ability or act of perceiving with the eyes.

What is the difference between seeing and looking?

Seeing is passive: it is simply perceiving something with your eyes, whether or not you meant to. Looking is active and deliberate, directing your gaze towards something on purpose. You can see a crowd without looking at anyone in particular, and you can look without really seeing.

What is the difference between seeing and watching?

Seeing is the basic act of perceiving with the eyes. Watching adds attention and duration: you keep your eyes on something, usually because it moves or changes, like watching a film. Seeing can be instant and accidental, whereas watching is sustained and deliberate.

Is seeing the same as sight or vision?

They are closely linked. Sight and vision usually name the faculty or sense itself, the capacity to perceive light. Seeing can mean that same ability but often stresses the act of using it. In everyday speech the words overlap, so 'good seeing' and 'good vision' point to much the same thing.

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