verb

see

SEE/siː/

To perceive or encounter something through observation.

The child shades both eyes to see the bright kite.

A child shades their eyes and looks directly at a bright kite in the sky, clearly perceiving it with their eyes.

Etymology

Old English sēon already meant both perceiving with the eyes and understanding mentally. The selected sense continues its literal visual meaning; its deeper ancestry is uncertain.

In context

Derren Brown3:37

I can't see through these envelopes.

Mentalism, mind reading and the art of getting inside your head | Derren Brown | TED

TED2:40

we implant some mammalian cells that you can see in blue.

This scientist makes ears out of apples | Andrew Pelling

More examples

I see my dentist twice a year.
Now I see why the door won't close.
I'll see whether the store is still open.
This old house has seen many harsh winters.

Forms

see · sees · saw · seen · seeing

Similar words

notice: Emphasizes becoming aware of something, often a particular detail.
observe: Suggests watching carefully rather than simply perceiving something.
witness: Means seeing an event happen, usually in person.