# sight

/ˈsaɪt/ (US) · /sˈaɪt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. ability to see

noun · CEFR B1

the physical ability to see with your eyes.

For teachers: the physiological faculty or power of seeing; vision.

- He lost his sight in a childhood accident but learned to navigate the city well.
- Regular check-ups are essential to preserve your sight as you age, especially if you have a family history of glaucoma.

### 2. the act of seeing

noun · CEFR B1

the moment or act of seeing something or someone.

For teachers: the act or fact of seeing; visual perception or a view of something.

- The first sight of the ocean after the long drive made the children cheer.
- The sight of the rescue helicopters brought a wave of relief to the hikers stranded on the ridge.

### 3. tourist attraction

noun · CEFR B1

a famous or interesting place that people visit.

For teachers: something worth seeing; a spectacle or a place of interest, often used in the plural for tourism.

- We spent the whole weekend visiting the sights of London.
- The city offers many historical sights, ranging from medieval cathedrals to modern architectural marvels.

### 4. aiming device

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a small part on a gun or camera that helps you aim at a target.

For teachers: a device used to assist in aiming a projectile or instrument by aligning the eye with a target.

- He looked through the sight of the camera to frame the perfect shot.
- The marksman adjusted the telescopic sight to account for the crosswind before taking the shot.

### 5. intensifier

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · Dialect

used to mean 'a lot' or 'much' when comparing two things.

For teachers: used as an intensifier with comparative adjectives or adverbs to indicate a large degree.

- This new phone is a sight better than my old one.
- The second draft of the manuscript was a sight more coherent than the initial jumble of notes.

Usage: Usually appears in the phrase 'a damn sight' or 'a sight better'.

### 6. to spot or see

verb · CEFR B2

to see something suddenly, especially from a distance.

For teachers: to manage to see or catch sight of something, often after searching.

- The sailors finally sighted land after three weeks at sea.
- The birdwatchers were thrilled to have sighted a rare golden eagle nesting in the high crags.

## Examples

- She lost her sight in a childhood accident.
- The Grand Canyon is a magnificent sight that attracts millions of visitors every year.
- After weeks at sea with nothing but the horizon in view, the first sight of land brought a collective sense of relief to the exhausted crew.

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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.