verb

see

SEE

verb

To perceive something with the eyes.

"I can see the mountains from my window."

"Did you see what just happened?"

To understand or realize something.

"I see what you mean now."

"Now I see why he was so upset."

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."

To make sure something happens.

"Please see that the doors are locked before you leave."

noun

The area or authority overseen by a bishop or archbishop.

"The bishop was appointed to the See of Canterbury."

How to Use See

Learner’s notes

In 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

sea →

Common pairings

see the point see someone off let me see

Word Forms

saw past tense, seen past tense, seent past tense, seed past tense, sawn past tense, see plural, saw plural, sees plural, Sees plural, sees singular, see singular, seest singular, saw singular, sawest singular, seeth singular

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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

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behold descry espy observe view decern notice pipe spot

Related Words

twig pimple look behold attention dirty penis pipe

Rhymes for see

ee bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree Dee

See all rhymes for see →

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