# seeing

/ˈsiɪŋ/ (US) · /sˈiːɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/seeing
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. because or since

conjunction · CEFR B1

you use this to give a reason for something, especially when you have just noticed a fact.

For teachers: used as a subordinating conjunction to introduce a statement that explains or justifies a following action or decision.

- Seeing it's such a nice day, why don't we walk to the park?
- Seeing that the primary witness has failed to appear, the judge has little choice but to grant a further adjournment.

Usage: Often followed by 'that', though 'that' is frequently omitted in speech.

### 2. the act of looking

noun · CEFR B2

the act of looking at or noticing something with your eyes.

For teachers: the process or instance of visual perception.

- For many people, seeing is believing.
- The sudden seeing of the mountain peak through the clouds provided the hikers with a much-needed boost in morale.

### 3. astronomical clarity

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

how clear and steady an image looks through a telescope, depending on the air.

For teachers: the quality of the observing conditions as affected by the turbulence of the Earth's atmosphere.

- The seeing was poor tonight because of the high winds and heat.
- Astronomers prefer high-altitude observatories where the seeing is consistently stable, allowing for high-resolution imaging of distant galaxies.

Usage: Usually uncountable in this technical context.

### 4. having sight

adjective · CEFR B2

having the ability to see; not blind.

For teachers: possessing the faculty of vision; often used in compound phrases.

- The charity provides seeing eye dogs for people who have lost their vision.
- The exhibition was designed to be accessible to both seeing and non-seeing visitors through the use of tactile displays.

## Examples

- The seeing is excellent tonight so we can see Jupiter clearly.
- Astronomers often travel to high-altitude deserts where the seeing is more consistent due to the thin, stable atmosphere.
- Even with high-quality optics, poor seeing can limit a telescope's resolving power, as turbulent air layers cause the light from distant stars to shimmer and blur.

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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.