see

[ see ]

/ si /

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See synonyms for: see / saw / seeing / seen on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), saw, seen, see·ing.

to perceive with the eyes; look at.

to view; visit or attend as a spectator: to see a play.

to perceive by means of computer vision.

to scan or view, especially by electronic means: The satellite can see the entire southern half of the country.

to perceive (things) mentally; discern; understand: to see the point of an argument.

to construct a mental image of; visualize: He still saw his father as he was 25 years ago.

to accept or imagine or suppose as acceptable: I can't see him as president.

to be cognizant of; recognize: to see the good in others;to see where the mistake is.

to foresee: He could see war ahead.

to ascertain, learn, or find out: See who is at the door.

to have knowledge or experience of: to see service in the foreign corps.

to make sure: See that the work is done.

to meet and converse with: Are you seeing her at lunch today?

to receive as a visitor: The ambassador finally saw him.

to visit: He's gone to see his aunt.

to court, keep company with, or date frequently: They've been seeing each other for a long time.

to provide aid or assistance to; take care of: He's seeing his brother through college.

to attend or escort: to see someone home.

Cards. to match (a bet) or match the bet of (a bettor) by staking an equal sum; call: I'll see your five and raise you five more.

to prefer (someone or something) to be as indicated (usually used as a mild oath): I'll see you in hell before I sell you this house. He'll see the business fail before he admits he's wrong.

to read or read about: I saw it in the newspaper.

verb (used without object), saw, seen, see·ing.

to have the power of sight.

to be capable of perceiving by means of computer vision.

to understand intellectually or spiritually; have insight: Philosophy teaches us to see.

to give attention or care: See, there it goes.

to find out; make inquiry: Go and see for yourself.

to consider; think; deliberate: Let me see, how does that song go?

to look about; observe: They heard the noise and came out to see.

Verb Phrases

see about,

to investigate; inquire about.
to turn one's attention to; take care of: He said he would see about getting the license plates.

see after, to attend to; take care of: Will you please see after my plants while I'm away?

see off, to take leave of someone setting out on a journey; accompany to the place of departure: I went to the airport to see them off.

see out, to remain with (a task, project, etc.) until its completion: We decided to see it out, even if it meant another year.

see through,

to penetrate to the true nature of; comprehend; detect: He quickly saw through my story.
to stay with to the end or until completion; persevere: to see a difficult situation through.

see to, to take care of; be responsible for: I'll see to the theater tickets.

OTHER WORDS FOR see

1 observe, notice, distinguish, discern, behold, regard.

5 comprehend, penetrate.

10 determine.

11 know, undergo.

18 accompany, escort.

See synonyms for see on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of see

First recorded before 900; Middle English sen, seen, se, Old English sēon, sēan, sían; cognate with Dutch zien, German sehen, Old Norse sjā, Gothic saihwan

synonym study for see

1. See watch.

OTHER WORDS FROM see

see·a·ble, adjectivesee·a·ble·ness, nounun·see·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby see

seductive, seductress, sedulity, sedulous, sedum, see, see about, see after, see a man about a dog, Seebeck, Seebeck effect

Other definitions for see (2 of 2)

see²

[ see ]

/ si /

noun Ecclesiastical.

the seat, center of authority, office, or jurisdiction of a bishop.

Origin of see

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English se(e), sce, sse, from Old French sie,se, sce, from Latin sēdes “seat”

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use see in a sentence

We see detoxing as a path to transcendence, a symbol of modern urban virtue and self-transformation through abstinence.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Harris is unlikely to see a challenge from Villaraigosa, either.
The Golden State Preps for the ‘Red Wedding’ of Senate Races|David Freedlander|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
We do see that a few European countries have them on the books: Germany, Poland, Italy, Ireland, a couple more.
In Defense of Blasphemy|Michael Tomasky|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Several times, either because they forgot or they had a technical problem, they connected directly, and we could see them.
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

That would truly be a milestone to celebrate—until you see what that record “diversity” actually means.
The Unbearable Whiteness of Congress|Dean Obeidallah|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And to tell the truth, she couldn't help wishing he could see, so he could make the game livelier.
The Tale of Grandfather Mole|Arthur Scott Bailey
I waited three months more, in great impatience, then sent him back to the same post, to see if there might be a reply.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
You see, I'd always thought of him as the boy whom Great-aunt Lucia described having seen.
The Boarded-Up House|Augusta Huiell Seaman
He shrank, as from some one who inflicted pain as a child, unwittingly, to see what the effect would be.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for see (1 of 2)

see¹

/ (siː) /

verb sees, seeing, saw or seen

to perceive with the eyes

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to perceive (an idea) mentally; understandI explained the problem but he could not see it

(tr) to perceive with any or all of the sensesI hate to see you so unhappy

(tr; may take a clause as object) to be aware of in advance; foreseeI can see what will happen if you don't help

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to ascertain or find out (a fact); learnsee who is at the door

(when tr, takes a clause as object; when intr, foll by to) to make sure (of something) or take care (of something)see that he gets to bed early

(when tr, may take a clause as object) to consider, deliberate, or decidesee if you can come next week

(tr) to have experience of; undergohe had seen much unhappiness in his life

(tr) to allow to be in a specified conditionI cannot stand by and see a child in pain

(tr) to be characterized bythis period of history has seen much unrest

(tr) to meet or pay a visit toto see one's solicitor

(tr) to receive, esp as a guest or visitorthe Prime Minister will see the deputation now

(tr) to frequent the company ofshe is seeing a married man

(tr) to accompany or escortI saw her to the door

(tr) to refer to or look upfor further information see the appendix

(in gambling, esp in poker) to match (another player's bet) or match the bet of (another player) by staking an equal sum

as far as I can see to the best of my judgment or understanding

see fit (takes an infinitive) to consider proper, desirable, etcI don't see fit to allow her to come here

see someone hanged first or see someone damned first informal to refuse absolutely to do what one has been asked

see someone right British informal to ensure fair treatment of (someone)if he has cheated you, I'll see you right

see the light or see the light of day See light 1 (def. 24)

see you, see you later or be seeing you an expression of farewell

you see informal a parenthetical filler phrase used to make a pause in speaking or add slight emphasis

Derived forms of see

seeable, adjective

Word Origin for see

Old English sēon; related to Old Norse sjā, Gothic saihwan, Old Saxon sehan

British Dictionary definitions for see (2 of 2)

see²

/ (siː) /

noun

the diocese of a bishop, or the place within it where his cathedral or procathedral is situatedSee also Holy See

Word Origin for see

C13: from Old French sed, from Latin sēdēs a seat; related to sedēre to sit

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with see

see

In addition to the idioms beginning with see

see about
see after
see a man about a dog
see beyond one's nose
see daylight
see double
see eye to eye
see fit
seeing is believing
seeing that
seeing things
see into
seen better days, have
seen one, seen them all
see one's way to
see out
see reason
see red
see someone off
see stars
see the back of
see the color of one's money
see the elephant
see the last of
see the light
see the light of day
see the sights
see things
see through
see through rose-colored glasses
see to
see with half an eye

also see:

as far as I can see
begin to see daylight
can't see beyond the end of one's nose
can't see the forest for the trees
I'll be seeing you
I see
let me see
long time no see
so I see
wait and see

Also see underseen.

see

OTHER WORDS FOR see

Origin of see

synonym study for see

OTHER WORDS FROM see

Words nearby see

Other definitions for see (2 of 2)

Origin of see

Words related to see

How to use see in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for see (1 of 2)

Derived forms of see

Word Origin for see

British Dictionary definitions for see (2 of 2)

Word Origin for see

Other Idioms and Phrases with see