Language Research

sight · noun

/sɑɪt/Full view

Word family

Nouns: sight, insight, oversight, sighting

Adjectives: sightless, insightful, unsightly

Verbs: sight

sight (ABILITY TO SEE)

B1 U the ability to see

Dictionary examples:

If your sight is poor, you should not drive a car.

The old woman has lost her sight.

Learner example:

She had lost her sight although doctors didn't know if it was forever. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

the sights

B1 places of interest, especially to visitors

Dictionary example:

We spent a two weeks in Rome looking at all the sights.

Learner example:

I have many plans, I want to show you all [the] remarkable sights in Georgia. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Georgian)

the sight of sb/sth

B2 when you see someone or something

Dictionary examples:

I faint at the sight of my own blood.

The child laughed at the sight of the circus clown.

She hated/loathed the sight of her former husband.

Learner example:

Just think; drinking our cold beers against the sight of the pounding waves and feeling the wind on our faces. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

sight (AREA SEEN)

B2 U the area that it is possible for you to see

Dictionary examples:

Keep your bags in sight at all times.

Don't let the children out of your sight at the park.

Billy was hidden out of sight behind a tree.

The castle came into sight as we hiked up the hill.

We're looking for a house within sight of the mountains.

Learner example:

Dear Editor, This morning when I opened my newspaper, my eyes caught sight of an article called "Failure of festival", and I read it. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

love at first sight

B2 when you fall in love with someone the first time you meet

Dictionary example:

We were happened to be seated at the same table, and it was love at first sight!

Learner example:

We had first met the spring before and it was love at first sight. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

at first sight

C1 when you first see or hear about something or someone

Dictionary example:

It may, at first sight, seem a surprising choice.

Learner example:

I must admit that, at first sight, I did not feel like reading it, but later I made up my mind and decided to accept your invitation. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Spanish)

lose sight of sth

C2 to forget about an important idea or fact because you are thinking too much about other, less important things

Dictionary example:

We mustn't lose sight of the original aims of this project.

Learner example:

Little do we realize that in the process we lose sight of the fundamentals, which in this case is the protection of our environment. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

set your sights on sth

C2 to decide to achieve something

Dictionary example:

She's set her sights on becoming a doctor.

Learner example:

This resemblance was the final silent argument that convinced Wormold to promise Milly the expensive and beautiful horse she had set her sights on. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

catch sight of sth

C2 to see something suddenly, often only for a short time

Dictionary example:

He caught sight of himself in the mirror.

Learner example:

All we could see were people bursting into tears when they caught sight of his coffin. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)