📒 to become aware of somebody/something by using your eyes
- see somebody/something She looked for him but couldn't see him in the crowd.
- I looked out of the window but saw nothing.
- The opera was the place to see and be seen (= by other important or fashionable people).
📒 to have or use the power of sight
- She will never see again (= she has become blind).
- On a clear day you can see for miles from here.
- see to do something It was getting dark and I couldn't see to read.
📒 to watch a game, television programme, performance, etc.
- see something Did you see that programme on Brazil last night?
- In the evening we went to see a movie.
- Fifty thousand people saw the match.
📒 to look at something in order to find information; to go to somebody in order to ask for help or information
- see something/somebody See page 158.
- If you missed the session, see a member of staff for advice.
- See Table 2 for details.
📒 to be near and recognize somebody; to meet somebody by chance
- Guess who I saw at the party last night!
- Aren't you pleased to see me?
- It's so good to see you!
📒 to visit somebody/something
- Come and see us again soon.
- Around 200 000 visitors each year come to see the summer palace.
- Veronica came to see him in prison.
📒 to have a meeting with somebody
- see somebody about something You ought to see a doctor about that cough.
- What is it you want to see me about?
- see somebody I can only see you for five minutes.
📒 to spend time with somebody
- Are you seeing anyone (= having a romantic relationship with anyone)?
- They've been seeing a lot of each other (= spending a lot of time together) recently.
- We haven't seen much of Liz lately.
📒 to understand something
- ‘It opens like this.’ ‘Oh, I see.’
- see something He didn't see the joke.
- I don't think she saw the point of the story.
📒 to have an opinion of something
- I see things differently now.
- Try to see things from her point of view.
- The way I see it, you have three main problems.
📒 to consider something as a future possibility; to imagine somebody/something as something
- see somebody/something/yourself doing something I can't see her changing her mind.
- I can't really see myself working in a lab all day.
- see somebody/something/yourself as something His colleagues see him as a future director.
📒 to find out something by looking, asking or waiting
- ‘Has the mail come yet?’ ‘I'll just go and see.’
- ‘Is he going to get better?’ ‘I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see.’
- We'll have a great time, you'll see.
📒 to find out or decide something by thinking or considering
- ‘Will you be able to help us?’ ‘I don't know, I'll have to see.’
- ‘Can I go to the party?’ ‘We'll see (= I'll decide later).’
- see what, whether, etc… I'll see what I can do to help.
📒 to make sure that you do something or that something is done
- See that all the doors are locked before you leave.
- Could you see that the kids are in bed by 8 o'clock?
📒 to experience or suffer something
- He has seen a great deal in his long life.
- I hope I never live to see the day when computers finally replace books.
- It didn't surprise her—she had seen it all before.
📒 to be the time when an event happens
- Next year sees the centenary of Saint-Saëns' death.
- The twentieth century saw dramatic changes in most areas of life.
📒 to be the place where an event happens
- This stadium has seen many thrilling football games.
📒 to go with somebody to help or protect them
- I saw the old lady across (= helped her cross) the road.
- May I see you home (= go with you as far as your house)?
- My secretary will see you out (= show you the way out of the building).
📒 that can be seen clearly; in a way that can be seen clearly
📒 used when you are thinking or trying to remember something
- Now let me see—how old is she now?
📒 to realize that there is going to be a problem before it happens
- We should have seen it coming. There was no way he could keep going under all that pressure.
📒 to realize that somebody/something is not as good, pleasant, etc. as they/it seem
📒 to find out or look at something yourself in order to be sure that what somebody is saying is true
- If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself!
📒 because of the fact that…
- Seeing that he's been off sick all week he's unlikely to come.
📒 goodbye
- I'd better be going now. See you!
📒 used when you are explaining something
- You see, the thing is, we won't be finished before Friday.