Language Research

sight · noun

/saɪt/Full view

Word family

Nouns: sight, insight, oversight, sighting

Adjectives: unsightly, sighted

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 fortnight 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:

The sight of so much blood had shocked him.

The child laughed at the sight of the clockwork toy.

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:

You should always keep sight of your bags while you're at the airport.

I dare not let the children out of my sight in this park.

The police officer was hidden out of sight behind a tree.

The castle came into sight as we went round a bend in the road.

We're looking for a house which is 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)

at first sight

B2 when you first see or hear about something or someone

Dictionary examples:

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

It was love at first sight!

Learner example:

Nowadays shopping is considered one of the most enjoyable activities, especially if you are a woman and you are out to buy clothes. At first sight it is, but shopping is not always enjoyable. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

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)