Language Research

see · verb

/siː/Full view

see (USE EYES)

A1 I or T to notice people and things with your eyes

Dictionary examples:

Turn the light on so I can see.

"I can see you!"

The teacher could see (that) the children had been fighting.

Jacqui saw the car drive up outside the station.

From the window we could see the children playing in the yard.

See p. 23 for prices and flight details.

Learner example:

Every time I went to Hendon Park, I saw so many people there. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Polish)

see you

A1 used for saying goodbye to someone

Dictionary example:

See you! Enjoy your vacation!

Learner example:

[This] is my new number (07782472751). See you. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Kurdish)

see you later/soon/tomorrow, etc.

A1 used for saying goodbye to someone you are going to meet again later/soon/tomorrow, etc.

Dictionary example:

I'll see you later!

Learner example:

See you soon. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

see (MEET)

A1 T to meet or visit someone

Dictionary examples:

We're seeing friends on Friday.

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

They see a lot of each other on weekends.

My mother is seeing the doctor again next week.

Learner example:

I go to India every year to see my friends and family because I love them. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Panjabi)

see (ON TV, ETC.)

A2 T to watch a movie, television program, etc.

Dictionary example:

Did you see that documentary on TV last night?

Learner example:

I would really like to go to see that movie with you. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

see (UNDERSTAND)

B1 I or T to understand something

Dictionary examples:

I see (that) the club is planning a picnic.

I see what you mean.

They didn't see the need/any need to notify their members in writing.

Learner example:

Do you see what I mean? (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

see (INFORMATION)

B2 T to find out information

Dictionary examples:

I'll just see what time the train gets in.

Let's see whether there is an early performance on Saturday.

Learner example:

I have looked in my calendar to see what time would be the best for you to come here. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

see (CONSIDER)

B2 T to imagine or think about something or someone in a particular way

Dictionary examples:

I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

I can’t see my brother as a businessman.

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

"Do you think there’ll be time to stop for lunch?" "We’ll see .

Learner example:

If I compare the members of my family with these qualities, then I have to say that I don't see them as my best friends. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swiss German)

I'll/we'll see

C1 used to say that you will make a decision about something later

Dictionary example:

"Dad, can I have a guitar?" "We'll see."

Learner example:

I'm sure I'd love to have four of them, but there's always the financial aspect. I'm just nineteen, I'll see... (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

wait and see

C1 to wait to discover what will happen

Dictionary example:

We'll wait and see what she says.

Learner example:

We will just have to wait and see. . . . . (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

see that

C2 If you ask someone to see that something happens, you want them to make sure it happens.

Dictionary example:

Could you see that everyone gets a copy of this letter?

see (HAPPEN)

C1 T to be the time or place where something happens

Dictionary example:

This decade has seen huge technological advances.

Learner example:

But the reason [that] has driven the strike is the whole country has seen a cut in the subsidies give[n] to unemployed people. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

see (BELIEVE)

C2 T to believe that something will happen

Dictionary example:

I can't see us finishing on time.

Learner example:

She could see herself doing everyday job[s], studying with the kids, cooking dinner, putting them to [bed] but she didn't feel there; her thoughts were where they always were trying to find hope to endure the agony. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

you see

C1 used when you are giving an explanation about something

Dictionary examples:

I didn't know she was Welsh, you see.

You see, it was already late by that time.

Learner example:

Family matters had to stay in the family, you see. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; French)

see sense

C2 to realize you are wrong or have been behaving stupidly

Dictionary example:

We talked to her for an hour, but we couldn't make her see sense.

Learner example:

Ralph tries to make Jack see sense by showing him the conch which had been the symbol of leadership and also, friendship. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

see fit

C2 believe to be what is good, correct, or necessary

Dictionary example:

You can leave it here or take it home with you, whichever you see fit.

Learner example:

I am, therefore, expressing my willingness, through this letter, to participate in this endeavor in whatever way you may see fit. (International English Language Testing System; C2; Tagalog)

have seen better days

C2 to look old or be in bad condition because of a lot of use

Dictionary example:

This jacket has seen better days.

Learner example:

In the dense fog he managed to see a man standing nearby, whose clothes ha[d] definitely seen better days. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

see off sb or see sb off

B2 to go to the place that someone is leaving from in order to say goodbye

Dictionary example:

They came to see me off at the airport.

Learner example:

She came to the station to see him off. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

see through sb/sth

B2 to understand that someone is trying to deceive you

Dictionary example:

It didn't take long for us to see through his charm.

see to sth/sb

B2 to deal with a person or task that needs to be dealt with

Dictionary examples:

"These letters need to be mailed." "I'll see to them later."

Please see to it that no one comes in without identification.

Learner example:

If you want to keep an animal happy and healthy, it is also important, in my opinion, to see to it that, for instance, the monkeys have real trees to climb in! (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)