Word
sighting
Phoneticssight·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsaɪtɪŋ/
UK/sˈaɪtɪŋ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. an occasion when you see something that is rare, unusual, or hard to find. It is often used when talking about wild animals or famous people.
n. an instance of seeing or observing someone or something, especially something rare, elusive, or of particular interest. Often used in the context of wildlife monitoring or unidentified phenomena.
Examples
“There was a rare sighting of a whale in the bay today.”
“Local residents reported a sighting of the escaped tiger near the edge of the forest early this morning.”
“While the initial sighting was dismissed as a trick of the light, subsequent photographic evidence confirmed the presence of the endangered bird species in the valley.”
Examples
simple
“There was a rare sighting of a whale in the bay today.”
contextual
“Local residents reported a sighting of the escaped tiger near the edge of the forest early this morning.”
complex
“While the initial sighting was dismissed as a trick of the light, subsequent photographic evidence confirmed the presence of the endangered bird species in the valley.”
Usage
Frequently paired with adjectives like 'rare', 'brief', or 'confirmed'.
Real-World Examples
“People in Scotland could get the best view of a solar eclipse in nearly three decades on Wednesday - although hopes of a clear sighting are fading in some parts of the country.” “With this release, Kazakhstan became the first country to restore its tiger range after they had been thought extinct, with the last reliable sighting in the country recorded more than 70 years ago.” Word family
NOUN
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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