# sight for sore eyes

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sight-for-sore-eyes
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A pleasing sight; something that is beautiful to look at, particularly after a long period of deprivation.

## Examples

- You are a sight for sore eyes after this long trip.
- After hiking for six hours in the rain, the warm lights of the cabin were a sight for sore eyes.
- To the weary traveler who had spent weeks navigating the desolate desert, the lush green valley appeared as a welcome sight for sore eyes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.