see

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   To notice or perceive something with the eyes.

   Grammar: Takes an object for the thing perceived: see the sign; no object when ability is meant: I can see.

   Patterns

   • see something
   • see someone do something
   • see that something happens
   • can see

   From the bridge, we could see the whole harbor.

   She saw a fox cross the field at dawn.

   I cannot see without my glasses.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   To understand, realize, or accept an explanation or fact.

   Grammar: Often used alone as I see; takes a clause or phrase when the understood idea is named.

   Patterns

   • I see
   • see what someone means
   • see why something is true
   • see the point

   I see what you mean about the schedule.

   He finally saw that the plan would fail.

   She did not see the joke at first.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To meet, visit, or consult a person in a routine or planned way.

   Grammar: Takes a person or professional as object: see a doctor; contrast look at, which is visual only.

   Patterns

   • see a doctor
   • see someone tomorrow
   • see a lawyer
   • be seeing someone

   You should see a doctor about that cough.

   I am seeing my adviser after class.

   We will see them at the conference.

4. 4verbtransitive

   To go with someone or make sure they reach a place safely.

   Grammar: Takes a person plus home, off, out, or to a place: see someone home.

   Patterns

   • see someone home
   • see someone off
   • see someone to the door

   It is late; I will see you home.

   They went to the station to see her off.

   The host saw each guest to the door.

5. 5verbtransitive

   To find out or check whether something is true or possible.

   Grammar: Used with if, whether, or a question word; the object is a clause, not a noun.

   Patterns

   • see if something is true
   • see whether something works
   • see what happens

   I will see if the store is still open.

   She called to see whether he needed help.

   Let us see what the results show.

6. 6verbtransitive

   To experience or witness an event, period, or change.

   Grammar: Takes an event or period as object: see change; often passive in news style.

   Patterns

   • see change
   • see growth
   • see the end of something
   • be seen as something

   The city has seen rapid growth this decade.

   The team saw its first championship win.

   He was seen as a promising leader.

Word forms

Common combinations

see clearly

After the rain stopped, we could see clearly across the valley.

see for yourself

Do not take my word for it; come and see for yourself.

see the point

I see the point of leaving early, but the train is reliable.

see someone home

He offered to see his neighbor home after the meeting.

see if

I will see if there are any tickets left.

Synonyms and how they differ

notice

Notice stresses becoming aware of something, often something small, rather than simply having sight.

observe

Observe suggests watching carefully or deliberately, and is more formal than see.

understand

Understand fits the mental sense of see, but never the literal visual sense.

visit

Visit fits the meeting sense of see, especially for planned time with a person.

Opposites

Word family

sight noun

The ability to see, or something seen.

vision noun

The sense of sight, or imagined foresight.

visible adjective

Able to be seen.

visual adjective

Relating to seeing or sight.

Commonly confused: see or sea? see or seem?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “see”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words