1 a : to notice or become aware of (someone or something) by using your eyes [+ obj] ▪ It was so dark that I couldn't see anything. ▪ I can't see a thing without my glasses. ▪ Would you turn on the light? I can hardly see a thing. ▪ Let me see what you're holding in your hand. ▪ I saw your sister at the party, but I didn't talk to her. ▪ I saw her take the money. ▪ Nobody saw the accident happen. ▪ He was last seen leaving his house yesterday morning. ▪ This is the prettiest garden I've ever seen! = I've never seen such a pretty garden (before)! ▪ You have to see it to believe it. ▪ “He says he's coming.” “I'll believe it when I see it.” ▪ It's nice to see you (looking) so happy! ▪ I can see how happy you are. ▪ I could see (that) she was tired. ▪ I see (that) you bought a new car. = You bought a new car, I see. ▪ This club is the place to be seen (at) these days. [=this club is the place where people go to be noticed by important or fashionable people] ▪ “Have you met the new guy yet?” “No, but I've seen him around.” [=I have noticed him in some of the places I often go to] ▪ A mall's a mall. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. [=all shopping malls look the same] [no obj] ▪ It was so dark that I couldn't see. ▪ He can no longer see to read without his glasses. ▪ I couldn't see through/out the foggy window. ▪ I can't see over the person in front of me. ▪ On a clear day, you can see for miles from the top of the mountain. ▪ “He broke his leg.” “So I see.” [=I can see that his leg is broken] ▪ If you don't believe me, go and see for yourself.
b [no obj] : to have the ability to see : to have the power of sight
▪ She doesn't/can't see very well. ▪ She cannot see. [=she is blind] 2 : to be or become aware of (something) [+ obj] ▪ He saw the opportunity and took it. ▪ He only sees [=notices] my faults. ▪ I saw a big difference in her behavior. ▪ It was easy to see that she was lying. ▪ Can't you see that he needs help? ▪ Anyone can see that they're in love. ▪ I can see there has been a mistake. ▪ I see that the school has raised its tuition again. ▪ He claims that he can see the future. [=that he knows what will happen in the future] ▪ I see by/from the newspaper that they've won the election. ▪ Looking at the sales figures, we can see a steady rise in profits. ▪ Investors never saw this turn in the stock market coming. ▪ The book's ending is so predictable that you can see it coming a mile away/off. [no obj] ▪ He claims that he can see into the future. ▪ As you can see, the sales figures show a steady rise in profits. 3 : to learn or find out (something) especially by looking or waiting [+ obj] ▪ Please see who's at the door. ▪ It will be interesting to see if the team can pull off a win. ▪ I'm not sure if I'm going to the party. I have to see how I feel tomorrow. ▪ You should try on the dress to see if it fits. ▪ Can you check to see if the car needs oil? ▪ She brought the car to a mechanic to see what was wrong with it. ▪ I'll see what I can do to help. ▪ We'll have to see how it goes. ▪ We saw, in the previous lecture, how Newton came up with his theory. ▪ He called to see if we would be home tonight. ▪ I have to wait and see whether or not I got the job. ▪ It remains to be seen [=it is uncertain] whether or not she was lying. [no obj] ▪ “Can you fix the car?” “I will have to see.” ▪ “Can I go to the party?” “We'll see.” [=maybe, perhaps] ▪ Things will get better, you'll see. 4 [+ obj] a not used in progressive tenses : to read (something written or printed)
▪ Have you seen today's newspaper? ▪ I saw in the newspaper that the team lost. ▪ I need to see your license. ▪ He posted his journal online for all (the world) to see.
b — used to tell someone where to look for information ▪ For further information, see Appendix A. ▪ See the explanatory notes at the beginning of the book. ▪ See [=look] below for details. 5 [+ obj] a : to watch (a television program, movie, etc.)
▪ Did you see the baseball game (on TV) last night? ▪ I saw that movie, too.
b : to go to and watch (a performance, play, event, etc.)
▪ We saw the parade. ▪ We are seeing a play tonight. 6 [no obj] — used in speech to direct someone's attention to something or someone ▪ See, I told you it would rain. ▪ See, the bus is coming. 7 [+ obj] a : to think of (someone or something) in a certain way
▪ Looking back, I see things differently now. ▪ I see myself to be an understanding person. ▪ I see you now for what you really are: a liar and cheat. ▪ Try to see things from my point of view. ▪ In order to understand them, you have to see the world through their eyes. — often + as ▪ She saw herself as an independent woman. [=she thought of herself as independent] ▪ He is seen as one of the best players in baseball. ▪ I see the job as a great opportunity.
b — used to say what your opinion is about something ▪ “Can we do it?” “I don't see why not.” [=yes, I believe that we can do it] ▪ As I see it, you have only two choices. ▪ The way he sees it, we should be done by Friday. [=he thinks we should be done by Friday] 8 [+ obj] a : to imagine (someone) as being or doing something specified
▪ Can you really see yourself any happier than you are now? ▪ I can't see her becoming a doctor. ▪ I can't see him objecting to our plan, can you? — often + as ▪ She sees herself as a doctor in the future. ▪ I can still see her as she was years ago. ▪ Somehow, I just couldn't see him as a banker.
b : to form a mental picture of (something)
▪ He saw a great future for himself in baseball. ▪ I can see it now in my mind: you and her married with two kids. 9 : to understand (something) [+ obj] ▪ I see what you mean. ▪ I can see why/how you would feel that way. ▪ I don't see the point of your story. ▪ What's so funny? I don't see the joke. ▪ I don't see why we have to do that. ▪ I don't see how/that/why it matters. ▪ I can't get him to see reason/sense. [no obj] ▪ “You should hold the club like this.” “Oh, I see.” 10 [+ obj] a : to meet with (someone)
▪ I can see you later this afternoon. ▪ I'll be seeing my lawyer on Friday. ▪ Do you see your dentist regularly? ▪ The doctor is seeing a patient at the moment. ▪ He has been seeing a psychotherapist. — often + about ▪ You should see a doctor about your rash. ▪ What would you like to see me about?
b : to visit (someone)
▪ I saw him at the hospital. ▪ I am seeing an old friend tomorrow.
c : to allow yourself to be visited by (someone)
▪ He's not seeing anyone today.
d : to be with and talk to (someone)
▪ I can't tell you how glad/pleased I am to see you again! ▪ We'll see you again real soon. ▪ They see each other less [=they spend less time together] now that he has a new job.
e — used in phrases like see more/less of and see a lot of to describe how much time people spend with each other ▪ I'd like to see more of you. [=I'd like to spend more time with you] ▪ They've been seeing a lot of each other lately. [=they've been spending a lot of time together lately] 11 [+ obj] : to spend time with (someone) as part of a romantic relationship — usually used as be seeing ▪ They've been seeing each other for over a year. ▪ Are you seeing [=dating] anyone right now? 12 [+ obj] : to make sure (something) is done : to check that (something) is done
▪ See (that) the work gets finished on time. [=make sure that the work is finished on time] ▪ See that the door is locked before you leave the building. 13 [+ obj] : to experience (something)
▪ He saw a lot of action during the war. ▪ I never thought I would live to see the day when gas would cost so much. ▪ Nothing bothers him—he's seen it all before. ▪ Oil prices have seen a large increase. 14 [+ obj] : to be the place or time in which (something) happens
▪ The city has seen a lot of growth in recent years. [=the city has grown a lot in recent years] ▪ This year has seen a drop in profits. [=profits have dropped this year] ▪ The last decade saw many technological advances. 15 always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] : to go somewhere with (someone)
▪ I'll see [=accompany] you home. ▪ They saw [=escorted] him out (of the club). ▪ My secretary will see you to the door. ▪ I can see myself out, thank you. [=I can leave without having anyone show me where to go] ▪ He kissed her goodbye and saw her onto the plane. [=he watched her get onto the plane] — see also see off (below) 16 [+ obj] : to help or support (someone or something) for a particular period of time
▪ We had enough supplies to see us (out) to the end of winter. [=the supplies were enough to last until the end of winter] — usually + through ▪ The support of his friends saw him through his depression. [=helped him to get through his depression] ▪ The legislators vowed to see the bill through Congress to make sure that it became a law. ▪ They have enough money to see them through. 17 [+ obj] : to make a bet that is equal to (another player's bet) in poker
▪ I'll see your 10 and raise you 10. ▪ I'll see you and raise 10.