Word
Forms
Infinitive
see
Past
saw
Past participle
seen
Definition
v. to use your eyes to look at something or someone. You also use this word when you understand an idea or meet a person.
v. to perceive with the eyes; to witness or experience an event. Often used to indicate comprehension or the act of meeting someone socially.
Examples
“I can see the mountains from my window.”
“If you look closely at the chart, you will see that sales increased last month.”
“While many observers could see the immediate effects of the policy, few were able to foresee the long-term structural changes it would eventually trigger in the local economy.”
Examples
simple
“I can see the mountains from my window.”
contextual
“If you look closely at the chart, you will see that sales increased last month.”
complex
“While many observers could see the immediate effects of the policy, few were able to foresee the long-term structural changes it would eventually trigger in the local economy.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “see” in context.
Usage
The verb is often used in the progressive form ('I am seeing') only when it means 'meeting' or 'dating', not for physical perception.
Pitfall
I am seeing a bird right now.
I see a bird right now.
When 'see' refers to the physical ability to perceive with eyes, it is a stative verb and is not usually used in the continuous tense.
Confusables
Look is the intentional direction of the eyes, see is the automatic perception of an image, and watch is the sustained observation of something in motion.
RememberSee is a reflex; look is a choice; watch is a movie.
See is the physical ability to use your eyes, while notice is the act of paying attention to a specific detail.
RememberSee is the sense; notice is the observation.
See is the passive act of noticing with your eyes, while look is the active direction of your gaze.
RememberSee is a sense; look is a choice.
See is the passive reception of light; watch is the active focus on a moving target.
RememberSee is a sense; watch is a choice.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
CONJUNCTION
PHRASAL VERB
Related words
Idioms
03. have seen one's last gum tree
06. I'd like to see someone try
07. long time no see
09. raise the flag and see who salutes
Show all 41
11. see a man
14. see daylight
15. see eye to eye
16. see for oneself
19. see past the end of one's nose
20. see red
22. see something green in one's eye
23. see stars
24. see the dark side of the moon
25. see the forest for the trees
26. see the light
28. see the trees through the forest
29. see the wood for the trees
30. see things
31. see through
32. see what sticks
33. see which way the cat jumps
35. see yellow
36. see you later
39. throw things at the wall and see what sticks
Grammar
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/see
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0