see
SEE
See (verb) means to perceive something with the eyes. Example: “I can see the mountains from my window.”
verb
1
To perceive something with the eyes.
"I can see the mountains from my window."
"Did you see what just happened?"
"We could see smoke rising from the chimney across the valley."
2
To understand or realize something.
"I see what you mean now."
"Now I see why he was so upset."
"I can see that you've worked very hard on this."
3
To meet someone socially, romantically, or professionally.
"They've been seeing each other for six months."
"I need to see the dentist about this tooth."
"I'm seeing my cousin for lunch on Friday."
4
To make sure something happens.
"Please see that the doors are locked before you leave."
"See to it that the children brush their teeth before bed."
"I'll see that everyone gets a copy of the notes."
noun
1
The area or authority overseen by a bishop or archbishop.
"The bishop was appointed to the See of Canterbury."
"The archbishop travelled across his see to visit every parish."
"A new bishop was welcomed to the see with a long service."
How to use see
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo use your eyes to notice something — or, more broadly, to understand or to meet someone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "sea" (the ocean) or the religious noun "see" (a bishop's district), which are pronounced the same.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
see the point
see someone off
let me see
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like see.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- sees
- Third person singular
- sees
- Past tense
- saw, seen, seent, seed, sawn
- Archaic forms
- seest, sawest, seeth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I can _____ the mountains from my window.
Etymology
From Old English seon, "to see, perceive, understand," from a very old Germanic root shared across most Germanic languages.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for see
See all rhymes for see →Frequently asked questions
What does “see” mean?
The word “see” means to perceive something with the eyes. In plain terms, to use your eyes to notice something — or, more broadly, to understand or to meet someone.
How do you pronounce “see”?
“See” is pronounced SEE (/ˈsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “see” in a sentence?
Here is “see” used in a sentence: “I can see the mountains from my window.”
What is another word for “see”?
Words with a similar meaning to “see” include behold, descry, espy, observe, view and decern.
What part of speech is “see”?
Depending on how it is used, “see” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “see” come from?
The word “see” comes from Old English. From Old English seon, "to see, perceive, understand," from a very old Germanic root shared across most Germanic languages.
Is “see” a common word?
“See” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “see” have?
“See” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to perceive something with the eyes.
What is the difference between see and sea?
See is a verb meaning to perceive something with your eyes, as in 'I can see the mountains.' Sea is a noun meaning a large body of salt water, as in 'We sailed across the sea.' They sound identical, which is why they are so easily mixed up in writing.
What is the difference between see and look?
To look is to deliberately direct your eyes toward something, while to see is to actually perceive it. You can look at a page without seeing the mistake on it. Looking is the intentional act; seeing is the result of becoming aware of something through your eyes.
What is the difference between see and watch?
You see something when your eyes simply take it in, often without any effort. You watch something when you observe it attentively over a period of time, usually because it moves or changes. You see a bird fly past, but you watch a film from start to finish.
What is an example of see used in a sentence?
'From the window I could see the whole valley below.' Here see means to perceive the valley with the eyes. Other examples include 'Did you see that shooting star?' and 'I can't see anything without my glasses,' all describing visual perception rather than understanding an idea.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing see in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Scotland is likely to see the largest amount of cloud, especially in western areas.
From
BBC · Jul 26, 2026
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include see:
