Synonyms

behold

American

[bih-hohld] / bɪˈhoʊld /

verb (used with object)

to observe; look at; see.

Synonyms:

discern, watch, view, regard

interjection

look; see.

And, behold, three sentries of the King did appear.

behold British

/ bɪˈhəʊld /

verb

to look (at); observe

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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Etymology

Origin of behold

First recorded before 900; Middle English beholden, Old English behaldan “to keep”; see be-, hold ¹

Explanation

To behold is to see. You could behold the changing sky as the sun sets. It’s old-fashioned and fancy, so magicians like to use it, as in “Behold! I shall pull a rabbit out of my hat!” Have you ever heard "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"? That can help you remember that to behold is to see something and to hold it in your attention. To behold is to look intensely — it’s much more than a glance. A good example of beholding is when you take the time to check out something special like that beautiful sunset, or a bunny hopping out of a hat and handing out candy.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing behold

"Frankenstein"

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Awkward

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"The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," Vocabulary from Act 3

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A living being is also endowed with theoretical knowledge—as in the Greek term theorein, meaning to behold, receive and contemplate ultimate reality as beauty, gift and mystery.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 15, 2026

The Hutchinson Himalayas are a site to behold — a mile-long museum of municipal neglect.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 13, 2026

Societies across the world valued gold as a symbol of divinity, immortality, and authority; its rarity made it a special privilege to behold and possess.

From Slate • Jun. 11, 2026

“So low and behold, this is going to be a really good business for us,” Zinsner added, according to a transcript.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

"Painter Chen," the magistrate said, "I commend you on your work on my son’s project. The paintings in the Long Walkway are beautiful to behold."

From "When the Sea Turned to Silver" by Grace Lin

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023