see
1 of 2verb
ˈsē 
saw ˈsȯ ; seen ˈsēn ; seeing ˈsē-iŋ
; seen ˈsēn ; seeing ˈsē-iŋ transitive verb
1
a
: to perceive by the eye
b
: to perceive or detect as if by sight
2
a
: to be aware of : recognize
sees only our faults
b
: to imagine as a possibility : suppose
couldn't see him as a crook
c
: to form a mental picture of : visualize
can still see her as she was years ago
d
: to perceive the meaning or importance of : understand
3
a
: to come to know : discover
b
: to be the setting or time of
The last fifty years have seen a sweeping revolution in science …—
Barry Commoner
Barry Commoner c
: to have experience of : undergo
see army service
4
a
: examine, watch
want to see how she handles the problem
b(1)
: read
(2)
: to read of
c
: to attend as a spectator
see a play
5
a
: to make sure
See that order is kept.
b
: to take care of : provide for
had enough money to see us through
6
a
: to find acceptable or attractive
can't understand what he sees in her
b
: to regard as : judge
c
: to prefer to have
I'll see him hanged first.
I'll see you dead before I accept your terms.
7
a
: to call on : visit
b(1)
: to keep company with especially in courtship or dating
had been seeing each other for a year
(2)
: to grant an interview to : receive
The president will see you now.
8
: accompany, escort
See the guests to the door.
9
: to meet (a bet) in poker or to equal the bet of (a player) : call
intransitive verb
1
a
: to apprehend objects by sight
b
: to have the power of sight
c
: to perceive objects as if by sight
2
a
: to look about
b
: to give or pay attention
3
a
: to grasp something mentally
b
: to acknowledge or consider something being pointed out
See, I told you it would rain.
4
: to make investigation or inquiry
seeable
ˈsē-ə-bəl
adjective see
2 of 2noun
1
a
: a seat of a bishop's office, power, or authority
b
: a cathedral town
c
archaic : cathedra
2
: the authority or jurisdiction of a bishop
Synonyms
Verb
- behold
- catch
- descry
- discern
- distinguish
- espy
- eye
- look (at)
- note
- notice
- observe
- perceive
- regard
- remark
- sight
- spot
- spy
- view
- witness
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb It was so dark that I couldn't see anything. I can't see a thing without my glasses. Would you turn on the light? I can hardly see a thing. Let me see what you're holding in your hand. I saw your sister at the party, but I didn't talk to her. I saw her take the money. Nobody saw the accident happen. He was last seen leaving his house yesterday morning. You have to see it to believe it. “He says he's coming.” “I'll believe it when I see it.” See More
Recent Examples on the WebMedora Lee, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2023 People might see the crowd outside of Assembly Hall prior to Sunday’s game — the first sell-out in program history. —Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Feb. 2023 But the alumni that packed the stands behind the E.O. Smith bench were there to see their coach in action, one last time. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2023 East Austin has been rife with party houses like the ones France and Pattillo see in their neighborhood. —Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2023 Shorter waves, for example, will see more interference from objects like trees and skyscrapers, and even droplets of rain or flakes of snow. —Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 17 Feb. 2023 Here, see all the photos of the celebrities, royalty, and fashion designers who dressed in their finest to attend Westwood's memorial: Helena Bonham Carter spoke during the service. —Town & Country, 17 Feb. 2023 Studio chief Kevin Feige announced at the Disney Investors Day presentation last year, that 2023 would see massive releases on Disney+, especially with the studio taking the reins on producing new original TV content. —Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2023 Under the plan, the average residential customer whose electric and gas is delivered by BGE would see their bills increase 5%, or $10.36 each year, BGE said. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2023 Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2023 When the ice melted, the see-saw rebounded: the land rose in places that had been covered in ice and sank in places, like the Southeast, that had been ice-free. —Teake Zuidema, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2021 Rita Ora had everyone seeing stars in this see-through tan latex dress with which exposed her underwear and silver star pasties during her performance at Heaven nightclub in London with RuPaul's Drag Race alum, Jimbo. —Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023 Minute pirate bugs may sometimes be confused with no-see-ums, which are also very small and actively bite people during summer and fall. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2022 Even while swatting away swarming no-see-ums, Lauralee never stopped smiling. —Walter Nicklin, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Travellers forced to splash through swamps under attack from blackflies, no-see-ums, and deerflies, or to make long, tiresome detours around watery areas, complained vociferously and called to the heavens for drainage. —Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 27 June 2022 The body spray is made with 20 percent picaridin and protects you against mosquitos, ticks, gnats, chiggers, sand flies, biting flies, and no-see-ums for eight to twelve hours. —Rachel Ng, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2021 The 27-year-old model wore a see-through, black midi dress, with asymmetrical shoulders. —Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 15 Jan. 2023 See More
Verb
Tax bite:Americans could see smaller tax refunds in 2023, IRS warns. —Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2023 People might see the crowd outside of Assembly Hall prior to Sunday’s game — the first sell-out in program history. —Tyler Tachman, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Feb. 2023 But the alumni that packed the stands behind the E.O. Smith bench were there to see their coach in action, one last time. —Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 18 Feb. 2023 East Austin has been rife with party houses like the ones France and Pattillo see in their neighborhood. —Dallas News, 17 Feb. 2023 Shorter waves, for example, will see more interference from objects like trees and skyscrapers, and even droplets of rain or flakes of snow. —Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 17 Feb. 2023 Here, see all the photos of the celebrities, royalty, and fashion designers who dressed in their finest to attend Westwood's memorial: Helena Bonham Carter spoke during the service. —Town & Country, 17 Feb. 2023 Studio chief Kevin Feige announced at the Disney Investors Day presentation last year, that 2023 would see massive releases on Disney+, especially with the studio taking the reins on producing new original TV content. —Sage Anderson, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2023 Under the plan, the average residential customer whose electric and gas is delivered by BGE would see their bills increase 5%, or $10.36 each year, BGE said. —Lorraine Mirabella, Baltimore Sun, 17 Feb. 2023 Noun
The stations include a 5-foot-long wave slide (with handrails and a safe landing bumper), a see-saw, and three different types of swings: traditional, padded super disc, and a stand-or-sit option. —Erica Reagle, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2023 When the ice melted, the see-saw rebounded: the land rose in places that had been covered in ice and sank in places, like the Southeast, that had been ice-free. —Teake Zuidema, Discover Magazine, 20 May 2021 Rita Ora had everyone seeing stars in this see-through tan latex dress with which exposed her underwear and silver star pasties during her performance at Heaven nightclub in London with RuPaul's Drag Race alum, Jimbo. —Zizi Strater, Peoplemag, 31 Jan. 2023 Minute pirate bugs may sometimes be confused with no-see-ums, which are also very small and actively bite people during summer and fall. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2022 Even while swatting away swarming no-see-ums, Lauralee never stopped smiling. —Walter Nicklin, Washington Post, 26 Aug. 2022 Travellers forced to splash through swamps under attack from blackflies, no-see-ums, and deerflies, or to make long, tiresome detours around watery areas, complained vociferously and called to the heavens for drainage. —Annie Proulx, The New Yorker, 27 June 2022 The body spray is made with 20 percent picaridin and protects you against mosquitos, ticks, gnats, chiggers, sand flies, biting flies, and no-see-ums for eight to twelve hours. —Rachel Ng, Outside Online, 14 Aug. 2021 The 27-year-old model wore a see-through, black midi dress, with asymmetrical shoulders. —Aimée Lutkin, ELLE, 15 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English seen, from Old English sēon; akin to Old High German sehan to see and perhaps to Latin sequi to follow — more at sue
Noun
Middle English se, from Anglo-French sé, see, from Latin sedes seat; akin to Latin sedēre to sit — more at sit
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c
Phrases Containing see
Kids Definition
see
1 of 2 verb ˈsē
saw ˈsȯ ; seen ˈsēn ; seeing ˈsē-iŋ
; seen ˈsēn ; seeing ˈsē-iŋ 1
a
: to become aware of by means of the eyes or have the power of sight
see a bird
a person who cannot see
b
: to give or pay attention
see, the bus is coming
2
a
: to have experience of : undergo
had seen life on a farm
b
: to know or find out by investigation
see what's wrong with the car
c
: to acknowledge or consider something being pointed out
see, I told you it would rain
3
a
: to form a mental picture of : visualize
I can see it now in my mind
b
: to understand the meaning or importance of
I see what you mean
c
: to be aware of : recognize
sees only our faults
d
: to imagine as a possibility
couldn't see him as a crook
4
a
: to provide for
had enough money to see them through
b
: to make sure
see that the job gets done
5
a
: to call on : visit
see a sick friend
b
(1)
: to keep company with especially in courtship or dating
had been seeing each other for a year
(2)
: to grant an interview to : receive
the president will see you
6
: accompany sense 1, escort
I'll see you home
see
2 of 2 noun1
: the city in which a bishop's church is located
2
: the area in which a bishop has authority : diocese
Medical Definition
see
verb ˈsē
saw ˈsȯ ; seen ˈsēn ; seeing ˈsē-iŋ
; seen ˈsēn ; seeing ˈsē-iŋ transitive verb
: to perceive by the eye
intransitive verb
1
: to have the power of sight
2
: to apprehend objects by sight
Biographical Definition
See
biographical name
ˈsē
Thomas Jefferson Jackson 1866–1962 American astronomer and mathematician
see
verb
1
as in to notice
to make note of (something) through the use of one's eyes out of the corner of my eye I saw the deer run into the woods Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- notice
- spot
- eye
- view
- regard
- note
- observe
- watch
- sight
- perceive
- remark
- witness
- discern
- catch
- behold
- espy
- distinguish
- descry
- spy
- identify
- consider
- examine
- get a load of
- scan
- look (at)
- glimpse
- set eyes on
- pick out
- study
- lay eyes on
- inspect
- survey
- scrutinize
- heed
- mark
- make out
- mind
- pick up
- attend (to)
- glance (at)
- peer (at)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignore
- disregard
- miss
- neglect
- overlook
- pass over
- overpass
2
as in to experience
to come to a knowledge of (something) by living through it a writer who saw World War II through the eyes of a common soldier Synonyms & Similar Words
- experience
- have
- know
- undergo
- witness
- endure
- feel
- suffer
- taste
- sustain
- encounter
- receive
- pass
- accept
- meet
- go through
- digest
- assimilate
3
as in to realize
to come to an awareness of I bought the best seller just to see what all the fuss was about Synonyms & Similar Words
- realize
- hear
- discover
- learn
- find
- ascertain
- find out
- detect
- get on (to)
- get wind of
- spot
- perceive
- catch on (to)
- espy
- encounter
- figure out
- descry
- discern
- note
- observe
- wise (up)
- calculate
- divine
- tumble (to)
- hit (on or upon)
- mind
- puzzle (out)
- dope (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miss
- ignore
- overlook
- forget
- disregard
- hide
- cover
- conceal
- curtain
- screen
- mask
- veil
- unlearn
- cloak
- blot out
- blanket
- enshroud
- shroud
- occult
4
as in to sense
to have a vague awareness of I see a certain sadness in his letters to his relatives back home Synonyms & Similar Words
- sense
- notice
- hear
- feel
- perceive
- smell
- expect
- taste
- realize
- view
- discover
- learn
- sight
- anticipate
- note
- guess
- foresee
- discern
- witness
- ascertain
- observe
- scent
- behold
- suppose
- remark
- suspect
- eye
- spy
- speculate
- surmise
- find out
- espy
- presume
- distinguish
- assume
- regard
- descry
- divine
- look (at)
- conjecture
- catch on (to)
- foreknow
5
as in to visit
to make a social call upon you should go and see Father at the hospital this afternoon Synonyms & Similar Words
- visit
- call (on or upon)
- look up
- drop in (on)
- drop by
- seek (out)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- ignore
- brush (aside or off)
- snub
- cold-shoulder
6
as in to know
to have a clear idea of I see your point Synonyms & Similar Words
- know
- understand
- recognize
- decipher
- appreciate
- comprehend
- get
- grasp
- realize
- discern
- perceive
- sense
- make
- dig
- conceive
- behold
- apprehend
- catch
- intuit
- register
- seize
- assimilate
- make out
- decode
- grok
- twig
- savvy
- cognize
- fathom
- pick up on
- compass
- catch on (to)
- absorb
- tumble (to)
- digest
- cotton (to or on to)
- take in
- penetrate
- pierce
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- miss
- misunderstand
- misread
- misinterpret
- misconstrue
- mistake
- misperceive
- misapprehend
- misconceive
7
as in to accompany
to go along with in order to provide assistance, protection, or companionship thanks for coming, and I'll see you to the door Synonyms & Similar Words
- accompany
- escort
- attend
- bring
- company
- companion
- walk
- squire
- convoy
- guide
- chaperone
- follow
- protect
- chaperon
- defend
- guard
- steer
- usher
- tag
- lead
- associate
- tail
- consort
- shadow
- pilot
- conduct
- tag along
- team (up)
- pal (around)
- hang (around)
- hover (over)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- abandon
- dump
- ditch
- forsake
- desert
8
as in to imagine
to form a mental picture of I can't see that spoiled brat as a soldier at all Synonyms & Similar Words
- imagine
- envision
- picture
- visualize
- dream
- envisage
- vision
- feature
- fantasize
- contemplate
- conceive
- fantasy
- fancy
- conceit
- plan
- image
- reflect
- ponder
- daydream
- foresee
- ideate
- relive
- hallucinate
- conjure (up)
- reminisce
- ruminate
- muse
- project
- invent
- re-create
- meditate
- stargaze
- concoct
- prefigure
- manufacture
- make up
- fabricate