Meaning of see In English

• 0 to be conscious of what is around you by using your eyes:

  • Turn the light on so I can see.

  • I can see you!

  • [ + (that) ] The teacher could see (that) the children had been fighting.

  • [ + infinitive without to ] Jacqui saw the car drive up outside the police station.

  • [ + -ing verb ] From the window we could see the children playing in the yard.

  • [ + past participle ] His parents saw him awarded the winner's medal.

  • See (= look at) p. 23 for prices and flight details.

  • UK See over (= look at the next page) for further information.

  • Did you see that documentary on Channel 4 last night?

  • This summer has seen the end of water restrictions in the area thanks to a new reservoir.

• 1 to understand, know, or realize:

  • [ + (that) ] I see (that) the club is organizing a theatre trip next month.

  • [ + question word ] He can't see what difference it makes to come (= he doesn't think it is important if he comes) on Thursday instead of Friday.

  • They didn't see the need/any need (= understand that it was important) to notify their members of the changes in writing.

  • They refused to help because they're too busy, but he seems to see more in it than that.

  • "I'm tired." "So I see - you've been yawning all afternoon."

  • I was surprised that they couldn't see my point of view.

  • The government didn't want to be seen to be making concessions to terrorists.

  • After she read his book she started to see the issue in another/a different/a new light (= differently).

• 2 to meet or visit someone, or to visit a place:

  • We're seeing friends this weekend.

  • I haven't seen Jerry around (= in the places I usually meet him) in the last few weeks.

  • No one has seen much of Daryl since he got married.

  • They see a lot of each other (= are often together).

  • My mother is seeing the doctor again next week.

  • The children wanted to see the circus.

  • The agent said they could see the house ( UK also see round the house) at 3 p.m.

  • How long has she been seeing him?

• 3 to consider or think about, especially to think about someone or something in a particular way, or to imagine someone doing a particular activity:

  • She didn't see herself as brave.

  • It was easy to see the gift as a kind of bribe.

  • [ + obj + -ing verb ] I can't see her accepting (= I don't think she will accept) the job in the present circumstances.

  • As I see it/things/the situation, we'll have to get extra help.

  • Try and see it my way - I'll be left without any help if you go.

• 4 to take someone somewhere by going there with them:

  • He saw his visitors to the door.

  • Her friends saw her home.

  • The security guard saw the protesters off the premises.

• 5 to try to discover:

  • Will you see if you can get anyone to help?

  • I'll see what I can do.

• 6 to make certain that something happens:

  • The receptionist said he'd see (that) she got the message.

  • UK See (that) you're ready by five, or there'll be trouble.

• 7 a place where there is a cathedral and where a bishop or archbishop has authority:

  • the See of York/Exeter/Lincoln

  • bishops and their sees

• 8 to be aware of what is around you by using your eyes; look at something:

  • [ T ] From the kitchen window, I can see the kids playing in the backyard.

  • [ + question word ] Can you see what is happening?

  • [ T ] The agent said they could see the house at 3 p.m.

  • [ T ] Did you see that documentary about homelessness on TV last night?

• 9 to understand, know, or be aware:

  • [ I ] "It’s easier if you hold it this way." "Oh, I see."

  • [ T ] I can’t see any reason why they would object.

  • [ + question word ] I can see why you didn’t want to go out with him.

• 10 to consider someone or something in a particular way, or to imagine someone doing a particular activity:

  • [ T ] Under the circumstances, I can’t see her accepting the job (= I do not think she will accept it).

  • [ T ] I can’t see my brother as a businessman.

  • [ T ] As I see it/the situation, we’ll have to get extra help.

  • [ I ] "Do you think there’ll be time to stop for lunch?" "We’ll see (= I will consider it)."

  • [ + question word ] I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

• 11 to meet, visit, or spend time with someone:

  • I saw Darlene last week.

  • Mom is seeing the doctor tomorrow.

  • They see each other on weekends (= they are often together then).

  • How long have they been seeing each other (= having a romantic relationship)?

• 12 to try to discover:

  • Will you see who is at the door?

• 13 to make certain (that something happens):

  • She said she’d see that her boss gets the message.

• 14 to experience something:

  • This coat has seen a lot of wear.

  • She’s seen a lot of changes in this office over the years.

  • This summer has seen unusually high temperatures.