see
gb/sˈi/ us/sˈi/
A1
English
~ 100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Perceive something visually
To look at something and know it is there.
Usage pattern:
to see [something/someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'see' with 'look' or 'watch'. 'See' is about noticing with your eyes, not about focusing for a long time.
Synonyms
view (More deliberate or intentional looking, often for enjoyment or study.)
Antonyms
miss (Fail to notice or perceive something visually.)
Collocations
see clearly
|see a bird
|see a movie
|see the road
|see someone smile
Themes
daily life
|perception
|body
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I can see the mountains from my window.
- She saw him walking down the street.
- Through the fog, we could barely see the road ahead.
- Did you see that shooting star?
- He saw a strange animal in the garden.
Learner examples
- I see a cat in the tree.
- Do you see the red car?
- She sees her friend at the park.
- We see the sun in the sky.
Verb
A2
action
2
Meet someone for a purpose
To meet someone and talk or do things together.
Usage pattern:
to see [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'see' with 'visit'. 'See' focuses on the interaction, not necessarily going to someone's place.
Synonyms
meet (Neutral term for coming together; 'see' is less formal and often implies familiarity.)
Antonyms
avoid (To deliberately not meet or spend time with someone.)
Collocations
see a friend
|see a doctor
|see clients
|see each other
Themes
daily life
|relationships
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I’m seeing my friends for dinner tonight.
- She saw her lawyer to discuss the case.
- He sees his grandparents every weekend.
- I’ll see you after work.
- We saw each other at the conference.
Learner examples
- I will see my teacher tomorrow.
- She sees her parents every Sunday.
- We see our friends at school.
- I saw my doctor yesterday.
Verb
B1
action
3
Understand or realize something
To understand an idea or situation.
Usage pattern:
to see [that/why/how something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'understand' instead of 'see' in conversation, missing natural idiomatic usage.
Synonyms
understand (General term; 'see' can be more informal and conversational.)
Antonyms
misunderstand (Fail to understand correctly.)
Collocations
see the point
|see why
|see how it works
Themes
thinking
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- I see what you mean about the problem.
- Now I see why she was upset.
- Do you see how this machine works?
- He finally saw that he had made a mistake.
Learner examples
- I see why you are happy.
- Do you see how to do it?
- She sees that it is not easy.
- Now I see what you mean.
Verb
B2
action
4
Experience an event or change
To be in a place when something happens and know it happened.
Usage pattern:
to see [something happen]
Synonyms
witness ('Witness' is more formal and often legal; 'see' is broader and more casual.)
Antonyms
miss out on (Not be present for an event or experience.)
Collocations
see changes
|see a rise in prices
|see hard times
Themes
history
|life events
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This country has seen many changes in recent years.
- She has seen tough times but never gave up.
- We saw a big improvement in sales last month.
Learner examples
- The city has seen many new buildings.
- I saw many changes at my school.
- Our team saw a big win last week.
Verb
B1
action
5
Go with someone to a place
To go with someone until they reach a place safely.
Usage pattern:
to see [someone] [home/to a place]
Synonyms
escort ('Escort' is more formal and can imply official duty; 'see' is casual and polite.)
Antonyms
abandon (Leave someone without accompanying them.)
Collocations
see someone home
|see someone to the door
Themes
daily life
|manners
|relationships
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He saw her home after the party.
- Let me see you to the door.
- The teacher saw the children across the road.
Learner examples
- I saw my friend home after school.
- Please see me to the bus stop.
- He saw her to her car.
Grammar
Dictionary form
see
IPA
GB/sˈi/
US/sˈi/
Syllables & stress
see (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (see)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: see
- 3rd Person Singular: sees
- Present Participle: seeing
- Past: saw
- Past Participle: seen
Word family
Forms
sees
verb
seeing
verb
saw
verb
seen
verb
Related words
sightseeing
noun A2
insight
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unseen
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
Highlights
- Irregular past: saw Verb
- Irregular past participle: seen Verb
Expressions
let's see
1/lˈɛts sˈi/
fixed phrase
Pause to think before deciding or speaking further
You say this when you stop for a moment to think before you speak or decide something.
Examples
- Let's see... I think we should try again tomorrow.
- Let's see, what was her name again?
see eye to eye (with someone)
1/sˈi ˈaɪ tə ˈaɪ wˈɪθ sˈʌmwˌʌn/
idiom
Agree completely with someone
To agree completely with another person about something.
Examples
- We don’t always see eye to eye on politics.
- They finally saw eye to eye on the budget issue.
see what I mean?
1/sˈi wˈʌt ˈaɪ mˈin ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
Check if listener understands point
You say this to check if someone understands what you are saying.
Examples
- It's really hard to park here, see what I mean?
- See what I mean about this being confusing?
we'll see
1/wˈil sˈi/
fixed phrase
wait to find out
Used to say that you are not sure what will happen and will decide or know later.
Examples
- 'Will it rain tomorrow?' 'We'll see.'
- We'll see if they agree to our plan.
we'll see
2/wˈil sˈi/
fixed phrase
Decision uncertain until later time comes
'We will see' means you are not sure what will happen and will decide later.
Examples
- Can we go swimming tomorrow? We'll see.
- We'll see if we have enough time after lunch.
see you later
1/sˈi jˈu lˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
Goodbye until later time
A friendly way to say goodbye when you will meet again soon.
Examples
- I have to go now. See you later!
- See you later! I'm off to class.
- See you later, Tom! Have a good day.
- I’ll see you later at the party.
see you later
2/sˈi jˈu lˈeɪtɚ/
fixed phrase
informal
say goodbye until later
Used when saying goodbye, meaning you will see the person again soon.
Examples
- Bye! See you later.
- See you later at the party.