Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense sights, present participle sighting, past tense, past participle sighted
1. uncountable noun [oft poss NOUN]
Someone's sight is their ability to see.
My sight is failing, and I can't see to read any more.
I use the sense of sound much more than the sense of sight.
Synonyms: vision, eyes, eyesight, seeing More Synonyms of sight
2. singular noun
The sight of something is the act of seeing it or an occasion on which you see it.
I faint at the sight of blood. [+ of]
The sight of her entering a room could flood her with anger. [+ of]
Synonyms: appearance, view, sighting, glimpse More Synonyms of sight
3. countable noun [oft adjective NOUN]
A sight is something that you see.
The practice of hanging clothes across the street is a common sight in many partsof the city.
We encountered the pathetic sight of a family packing up its home. [+ of]
Among the most spectacular sights are the great sea-bird colonies.
Synonyms: spectacle, show, scene, display More Synonyms of sight
4. verb
If you sight someone or something, you suddenly see them, often briefly.
The security forces sighted a group of young men that had crossed the border. [VERB noun]
A fleet of French ships was sighted in the North Sea. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: spot, see, observe, notice More Synonyms of sight
5. countable noun [usually plural]
The sights of a weapon such as a rifle are the part which helps you aim it more accurately.
6. plural noun
Thesights are the places that are interesting to see and that are often visited by tourists.
We'd toured the sights of Paris.
I am going to show you the sights of our wonderful city. [+ of]
Once at Elgin day-trippers visit a number of local sights.
Synonyms: attraction, place of interest, view, wonder More Synonyms of sight
7. adverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb]
You can use a sight to mean a lot. For example, if you say that something is a sight worse than it was before, you are emphasizing that it is much worse than it was.
[informal, emphasis]
He's been no more difficult than most children and a sight better than some I couldmention.
We aren't doing anything different. We're just doing it a damn sight quicker.
8. See also sighted, sighting
9.
See catch sight of someone
10.
See at first sight
11.
See in sight/within sight/out of sight
12.
See in sight/ within sight
13.
See to lose sight of
14.
See know someone by sight
15.
See out of sight, out of mind
16.
See on sight
17.
See not a pretty sight
18.
See set one's sights on something
19.
See sight unseen
20. love at first sight
More Synonyms of sight
sight in British English
(saɪt)
noun
1.
the power or faculty of seeing; perception by the eyes; vision
▶ Related adjectives: optical, visual
2.
the act or an instance of seeing
3.
the range of vision
within sight of land
4.
range of mental vision; point of view; judgment
in his sight she could do nothing wrong
5.
a glimpse or view (esp in the phrases catch sight of, lose sight of)
6.
anything that is seen
7. (often plural)
anything worth seeing; spectacle
the sights of London
8. informal
anything unpleasant or undesirable to see
his room was a sight!
9.
any of various devices or instruments used to assist the eye in making alignments or directional observations, esp such a device used in aiming a gun
10.
an observation or alignment made with such a device
11.
an opportunity for observation
12. obsolete
insight or skill
13. a sight
14. a sight for sore eyes
15. at sight
16. know by sight
17. not by a long sight
18. out of sight
19. set one's sights on
20. sight unseen
verb
21. (transitive)
to see, view, or glimpse
22. (transitive)
a.
to furnish with a sight or sights
b.
to adjust the sight of
23.
to aim (a firearm) using the sight
Derived forms
sightable (ˈsightable)
adjective
Word origin
Old English sihth; related to Old High German siht; see see1
sight in American English
(saɪt)
noun
1.
a.
something seen; view
b.
a remarkable or spectacular view; spectacle
c.
a thing worth seeing
usually used in pl.
the sights of the city
2.
the act of seeing; perception by the eyes
3.
a view; look; glimpse
4.
any of various devices used to aid the eyes in lining up a gun, optical instrument, etc. on its objective
5.
aim or an observation taken with mechanical aid, as on a sextant or gun
6.
the faculty or power of seeing; vision; eyesight
7.
mental vision or perception
8.
range or field of vision
9.
mental view; opinion; judgment
a hero in our sight
10. Informal
any person or thing of a strikingly unpleasant or unusual appearance
11. Dialectal
a large amount; great deal
a sight better than fighting
12. Obsolete
insight
verb transitive
13.
to observe or examine by taking a sight
14.
to catch sight of; see
15. US
to bring into the sights of a rifle, etc.; aim at
16.
a.
to furnish with sights or a sighting device
b.
to adjust the sights of
17.
to aim (a gun, etc.) using the sights
verb intransitive
18.
to take aim or an observation with a sight
19.
to look carefully in a specified direction
sight along the line
adjective
20.
read, done, understood, etc. quickly and easily as soon as seen
21. US
due or payable when presented
a sight draft
Idioms:
a sight for sore eyes
at first sight
at sight
by sight
catch sight of
lose sight of
not by a long sight
out of sight
out of sight of
sight unseen
Word origin
ME siht < OE (ge)siht < base of seon, to see1
More idioms containing
sight
at first sight
look a sight
lose sight of something
a sight for sore eyes
COBUILD Collocations
sight
a damn sight
familiar sight
Examples of 'sight' in a sentence
sight
This means that batsmen can often lose sight of it against the background of the umpire.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
These sights were just part of the picture.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
She was born profoundly deaf and lost virtually all of her sight over a number of years.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There is a comic sight to be seen in some elder trees at present.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet his sights are on something better than merely finishing.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You must rely on senses other than sight for a model of the world.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We knew that this had so many wonderful sights.
The Sun (2006)
Miami is the city with sights like no other.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The tourists will visit all the sights.
The Sun (2015)
Those who are deprived of sight miss much.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The troops are a common sight in local bars.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
There a spectacular sight is a burning car.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Today it is one of the most familiar sights in the countryside.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The sight of blood has gone to their heads.
John Garth TOLKIEN AND THE GREAT WAR: The Threshold of Middle-earth (2003)
Maybe she needed to steady her nerves after catching sight of herself in that dodgy elephant jumper.
The Sun (2012)
They like neither sight nor sound nor smell of it.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Yet it is an increasingly common sight.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
You can lose sight of the essentials when you look down at the stats.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The deal might look strange at first sight.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
She does that a jolly sight too often.
E. Nesbit The Treasure Seekers (1899)
Or maybe she had just caught sight of her brother.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
With uninterrupted views, it provided the best line of sight for viewing the reactor.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Quotations
Out of sight, out of mind
In other languages
sight
British English: sight /saɪt/ NOUN
Your sight is your ability to see.
My sight is failing, and I can't see to read any more.
American English: sight
Arabic: بَصَر
Brazilian Portuguese: visão
Chinese: 视力
Croatian: vid
Czech: zrak
Danish: syn
Dutch: gezichtsvermogen
European Spanish: vista espectáculo
Finnish: näkökyky
French: vue yeux
German: Sehvermögen
Greek: θέαμα
Italian: vista
Japanese: 視力
Korean: 시력
Norwegian: syn
Polish: wzrok
European Portuguese: visão
Romanian: vedere
Russian: зрение
Latin American Spanish: vista sentido corporal
Swedish: syn
Thai: การมองเห็น
Turkish: görüş göz
Ukrainian: зір
Vietnamese: thị lực
British English: sight VERB
If you sight someone or something, you suddenly see them, often briefly.
The security forces sighted a group of young men that had crossed the border.
American English: sight
Brazilian Portuguese: avistar
Chinese: 突然看见在一瞬间
European Spanish: divisar
French: apercevoir
German: sichten
Italian: avvistare
Japanese: 見かける
Korean: 목격하다
European Portuguese: avistar
Latin American Spanish: divisar
All related terms of 'sight'
a sight
a great deal
at sight
as soon as seen
by sight
by appearance; by recognizing but not through being acquainted
on sight
If someone is ordered to do something on sight , they have to do it without delay , as soon as a person or thing is seen .
sight gag
a visual joke
leaf sight
a folding rear sight on certain rifles
peep sight
an adjustable rear gun sight with a narrow aperture through which the target and the front sight are aligned when aiming
rear sight
the sight of a gun nearest to the breech
short sight
myopia
sight bill
a bill of exchange that is payable on demand
sight loss
Loss is the fact of no longer having something or having less of it than before.
sight-read
Someone who can sight-read can play or sing music from a printed sheet the first time they see it, without practising it beforehand .
second sight
If you say that someone has second sight , you mean that they seem to have the ability to know or see things that are going to happen in the future, or are happening in a different place.
sight reading
the act or skill of performing unfamiliar written music, or of translating something written in a foreign language, readily on sight , without previous study
sight screen
a white screen set in line with the wicket as an aid to the batsman in seeing the ball when it is bowled
sight unseen
If you agree to buy something sight unseen , you agree to buy it, even though you have not seen it and do not know what condition it is in.
a damn sight
You can use a sight to mean a lot . For example, if you say that something is a sight worse than it was before, you are emphasizing that it is much worse than it was.
familiar sight
A sight is something that you see.
look a sight
to look untidy , ridiculous , etc.
out of sight
not visible
panoramic sight
a type of artillery sight with a large field of view
at first sight
If you say that something seems to have certain characteristics at first sight , you mean that it appears to have the features you describe when you first see it but later it is found to be different .
catch sight of
to make out by means of the eyes; discern ; see
know by sight
to be familiar with the appearance of without having personal acquaintance
line of sight
Your line of sight is an imaginary line that stretches between your eye and the object that you are looking at.
lose sight of
to fail to keep in sight ; see no longer
telescopic sight
a telescope mounted on a rifle , etc, used for sighting
out of sight of
not in sight
to lose sight of
If you lose sight of an important aspect of something, you no longer pay attention to it because you are worrying about less important things.
in sight/ within sight
If a result or a decision is in sight or within sight , it is likely to happen within a short time.
not a pretty sight
If you say that someone or something is not a pretty sight , you mean that it is not pleasant to look at.
know someone by sight
If you know someone by sight , you can recognize them when you see them, although you have never met them and talked to them.
love at first sight
Love at first sight is the experience of starting to be in love with someone as soon as you see them for the first time.
not by a long sight
on no account ; not at all
sightseeing
If you go sightseeing or do some sightseeing , you travel around visiting the interesting places that tourists usually visit.
a sight for sore eyes
said to mean that something gives you a lot of pleasure when you look at it
lose sight of something
to forget or ignore an important aspect of something because you have other things to think about
outasight
amazing ; excellent
in sight/within sight/out of sight
If something is in sight or within sight , you can see it. If it is out of sight , you cannot see it.
out of sight, out of mind
If you say ' out of sight , out of mind ', you mean that people quickly forget someone if he or she goes away.
heave into view/heave into sight
When something heaves into view or heaves into sight , it appears .
demand bill
a bill of exchange that is payable on demand
catch sight of someone to catch sight of something
If you catch sight of someone, you suddenly see them, often briefly.
to catch sight of someone to catch sight of something
If you catch sight of someone, you suddenly see them, often briefly.
partially sighted
unable to see properly so that even with corrective aids normal activities are prevented or seriously hindered
Chinese translation of 'sight'
sight
(saɪt)
n
(u) (= faculty) 视(視)力 (shìlì)
(c) (= spectacle) 景象 (jǐngxiàng) (种(種), zhǒng)
(c) (on gun) 瞄准(準)器 (miáozhǔnqì)
vt
看见(見) (kànjiàn)
to catch sight of sb/sth瞧见(見)某人/某物 (qiáojiàn mǒurén/mǒuwù)
to lose sight of sth (fig) 忽略某事 (hūlüè mǒushì)
the sight of sth一看见(見)某物 (yī kànjiàn mǒuwù)
to set one's sights on sth立志拥(擁)有某物 (lìzhì yōngyǒu mǒuwù)
in sight (lit) 看得见(見) (kàn de jiàn)
out of sight看不见(見) (kàn bù jiàn)
to be in or within sight (fig) 在望 (zài wàng)
at first sight乍一看 (zhà yī kàn)
I know her by sight我看到她就知道她是谁(誰) (wǒ kàndào tā jiù zhīdào tā shì shuí)
on sight[shoot, arrest]一看见(見)就 ... (yī kànjiàn jiù ... )
a sight better/worse (inf) 好/坏(壞)得多 (hǎo/huài de duō)
Derived Forms
sightsn pl (= places of interest): the sights景点(點) (jǐngdiǎn)
All related terms of 'sight'
in sight
( lit ) 看得见(見) kàn de jiàn
on sight
( shoot, arrest ) 一看见(見)就 ... yī kànjiàn jiù ...
a sorry sight
悲惨(慘)景象 bēicǎn jǐngxiàng
out of sight
看不见(見) kàn bù jiàn
at first sight
乍一看 zhà yī kàn
the sight of sth
一看见(見)某物 yī kànjiàn mǒuwù
a sight better/worse
( inf ) 好/坏(壞)得多 hǎo/huài de duō
love at first sight
一见(見)钟(鐘)情 yī jiàn zhōngqíng
I know her by sight
我看到她就知道她是谁(誰) wǒ kàndào tā jiù zhīdào tā shì shuí
it was quite a sight
景色十分壮观(觀) jǐngsè shífēn zhuàngguān
to lose sight of sth
( fig ) 忽略某事 hūlüè mǒushì
to be in or within sight
( fig ) 在望 zài wàng
to catch sight of sb/sth
瞧见(見)某人/某物 qiáojiàn mǒurén/mǒuwù
within sight (of sth)
在看得到(某物)的地方 zài kàn de dào (mǒuwù) de dìfang
1 (noun)
Definition
the ability to see
My sight is failing and I can't see to read any more.
Synonyms
vision
The disease causes blindness or serious loss of vision.
eyes
eyesight
He suffered from poor eyesight and could no longer read properly.
seeing
eye
her sharp eyes and acute hearing
2 (noun)
Definition
an instance of seeing
I faint at the sight of blood.
Synonyms
appearance
view
The view from our window was one of beautiful countryside.
sighting
glimpse
The fans waited outside the hotel to get a glimpse of their heroine.
3 (noun)
Definition
anything that is seen
Among the most spectacular sights are the great sea-bird colonies.
Synonyms
spectacle
a director passionate about music and spectacle
show
Spring brings a lovely show of green and yellow striped leaves.
scene
display
a dazzling dance display
exhibition
an exhibition of expressionist art
vista
an endless vista of snow peaks and shadowed valleys
pageant
a traditional Christmas pageant
4 (noun)
Definition
anything worth seeing
I am going to show you the sights of our wonderful city.
Synonyms
attraction
place of interest
view
wonder
a fascinating lecture on the wonders of nature
landmark
The Ambassador Hotel is a Los Angeles landmark.
monument
curiosity
The company is a curiosity in the world of publishing.
marvel
A new technological marvel was invented there – the electron microscope.
5 (noun)
Definition
the range of vision
The Queen's carriage came into sight.
Synonyms
view
A group of riders came into view.
field of vision
range of vision
eyeshot
viewing
ken
visibility
6 (noun)
Definition
point of view
reasons which will justify it in the sight of God and Man
Synonyms
perception
opinion
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
judgment
In your judgment, what has changed over the past few years?
thinking
There was a strong theoretical dimension to his thinking.
belief
It is my belief that a common ground can be found.
point of view
His point of view is that money isn't everything.
outlook
The illness had a profound effect on his outlook.
viewpoint
The novel is written from the murderer's viewpoint.
What's your viewpoint on this issue?
standpoint
From my standpoint, you know, this thing is just ridiculous.
7 (noun)
Definition
anything unpleasant to see
(informal)
The new housing estate really looks a sight.
Synonyms
eyesore
Some people complained that the wind turbines were an eyesore.
mess
spectacle
fright (informal)
She looked a fright in a long dark wig.
monstrosity
Most of the older buildings had been replaced by monstrosities.
blot on the landscape (informal)
(verb)
Definition
to see (someone or something) briefly or suddenly
A fleet of ships was sighted in the North Sea.
Synonyms
spot
He left the party seconds before smoke was spotted coming up the stairs.
see
I saw a man making his way towards me.
observe
In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
notice
People should not hesitate to contact the police if they notice anything suspicious.
distinguish
He could distinguish voices.
perceive
I perceived a number of changes.
make out
discern
Under the bridge we could just discern a shadowy figure.
behold (archaic, literary)
The garden was a joy to behold.
idioms
See catch sight of something or someone
See set your sights on something or someone
related words
related adjectivesopticalvisual
proverb
Out of sight, out of mind
Additional synonyms
in the sense of behold
Definition
to look (at)
The garden was a joy to behold.
Synonyms
look at,
see,
view,
eye,
consider,
study,
watch,
check,
regard,
survey,
witness,
clock (British, slang),
examine,
observe,
perceive,
gaze,
scan,
contemplate,
check out (informal),
inspect,
discern,
eyeball (slang),
scrutinize,
recce (slang),
get a load of (informal),
take a gander at (informal),
take a dekko at (British, slang, old-fashioned),
feast your eyes upon
in the sense of belief
Definition
opinion
It is my belief that a common ground can be found.
Synonyms
opinion,
feeling,
idea,
view,
theory,
impression,
assessment,
notion,
judgment,
point of view,
sentiment,
persuasion,
presumption
in the sense of curiosity
Definition
a rare or unusual thing
The company is a curiosity in the world of publishing.
Synonyms
oddity,
wonder,
sight,
phenomenon,
spectacle,
freak,
marvel,
novelty,
rarity
Synonyms of 'sight'
sight
Explore 'sight' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of discern
Definition
to see or be aware of (something) clearly
Under the bridge we could just discern a shadowy figure.
Synonyms
see,
perceive,
make out,
notice,
observe,
recognize,
behold (archaic, literary),
catch sight of,
suss (out) (slang),
espy,
descry
in the sense of display
Definition
something displayed
a dazzling dance display
Synonyms
show,
exhibition,
demonstration,
parade,
spectacle,
pageant,
pageantry
in the sense of distinguish
Definition
to make out by hearing, seeing, or tasting
He could distinguish voices.
Synonyms
make out,
identify,
recognize,
perceive,
know,
see,
tell,
spot,
glimpse,
pick out,
discern
in the sense of exhibition
Definition
a public display of art, skills, etc.
an exhibition of expressionist art
Synonyms
show,
display,
exhibit,
showing,
fair,
representation,
presentation,
spectacle,
showcase,
expo (informal),
exposition,
ex (Canadian, informal)
in the sense of eye
Definition
the ability to see or record what is happening
her sharp eyes and acute hearing
Synonyms
eyesight,
sight,
vision,
observation,
perception,
ability to see,
range of vision,
power of seeing
in the sense of eyesight
Definition
the ability to see
He suffered from poor eyesight and could no longer read properly.
Synonyms
vision,
sight,
observation,
perception,
ability to see,
range of vision,
power of seeing,
power of sight
in the sense of fright
Definition
a very strange or unattractive person or thing
She looked a fright in a long dark wig.
Synonyms
sight (informal),
mess (informal),
eyesore,
scarecrow
in the sense of glimpse
Definition
a brief view
The fans waited outside the hotel to get a glimpse of their heroine.
Synonyms
look,
sighting,
sight,
glance,
peep,
peek,
squint,
butcher's (British, slang),
quick look,
gander (informal),
brief view,
shufti (British, slang)
in the sense of judgment
Definition
a decision formed after careful consideration
In your judgment, what has changed over the past few years?
Synonyms
opinion,
view,
estimate,
belief,
assessment,
conviction,
diagnosis,
valuation,
deduction,
appraisal
in the sense of landmark
Definition
a prominent object in or feature of a particular landscape
The Ambassador Hotel is a Los Angeles landmark.
Synonyms
feature,
spectacle,
monument
Additional synonyms
in the sense of marvel
Definition
something that causes wonder
A new technological marvel was invented there – the electron microscope.
Synonyms
wonder,
phenomenon,
miracle,
portent
in the sense of monstrosity
Definition
an outrageous or ugly person or thing
Most of the older buildings had been replaced by monstrosities.
Synonyms
eyesore,
horror,
carbuncle,
blot on the landscape
in the sense of notice
Definition
to point out or remark upon
People should not hesitate to contact the police if they notice anything suspicious.
Synonyms
observe,
see,
mind,
note,
spot,
remark,
distinguish,
perceive,
detect,
heed,
discern,
behold (archaic, literary),
mark,
eyeball (slang)
in the sense of observe
Definition
to see or notice
In 1664 Hooke observed a reddish spot on the surface of the planet.
Synonyms
notice,
see,
note,
mark,
discover,
spot,
regard,
witness,
clock (British, slang),
distinguish,
perceive,
detect,
discern,
behold (archaic, literary),
eye,
eyeball (slang),
peer at,
espy,
get a load of (informal)
in the sense of opinion
Definition
belief not founded on certainty or proof but on what seems probable
Most who expressed an opinion spoke favourably of her.
Synonyms
belief,
feeling,
view,
idea,
theory,
notion,
conviction,
point of view,
sentiment,
viewpoint,
persuasion,
conjecture
in the sense of outlook
Definition
a general attitude to life
The illness had a profound effect on his outlook.
Synonyms
attitude,
views,
opinion,
position,
approach,
mood,
perspective,
point of view,
stance,
viewpoint,
disposition,
standpoint,
frame of mind,
angle,
slant
in the sense of pageant
Definition
any magnificent display or procession
a traditional Christmas pageant
Synonyms
show,
display,
parade,
ritual,
spectacle,
procession,
extravaganza,
tableau
in the sense of perceive
Definition
to become aware of (something) through the senses
I perceived a number of changes.
Synonyms
see,
notice,
note,
identify,
discover,
spot,
observe,
remark,
recognize,
distinguish,
glimpse,
make out,
pick out,
discern,
behold (archaic, literary),
catch sight of,
espy,
descry
in the sense of point of view
Definition
a mental viewpoint or attitude
His point of view is that money isn't everything.
Synonyms
opinion,
view,
attitude,
belief,
feeling,
thought,
idea,
approach,
judgment,
sentiment,
viewpoint,
way of thinking,
way of looking at it
in the sense of scene
Synonyms
show,
picture,
display,
sight,
drama,
exhibition,
representation,
spectacle,
pageant,
tableau
Additional synonyms
in the sense of see
Definition
to look at or recognize with the eyes
I saw a man making his way towards me.
Synonyms
perceive,
note,
spot,
notice,
mark,
view,
eye,
check,
regard,
identify,
sight,
witness,
clock (British, slang),
observe,
recognize,
distinguish,
glimpse,
check out (informal),
make out,
heed,
discern,
behold (archaic, literary),
eyeball (slang),
catch a glimpse of,
catch sight of,
espy,
get a load of (slang),
descry,
take a dekko at (British, slang, old-fashioned),
lay or clap eyes on (informal)
in the sense of show
Definition
a display or exhibition
Spring brings a lovely show of green and yellow striped leaves.
Synonyms
display,
view,
sight,
spectacle,
array
in the sense of standpoint
Definition
a point of view from which a matter is considered
From my standpoint, you know, this thing is just ridiculous.
Synonyms
point of view,
position,
angle,
viewpoint,
stance,
vantage point
in the sense of thinking
Definition
the process of thought
There was a strong theoretical dimension to his thinking.
Synonyms
reasoning,
thoughts,
philosophy,
idea,
view,
position,
theory,
opinion,
conclusions,
assessment,
judgment,
outlook,
conjecture
in the sense of viewpoint
Definition
a person's attitude towards something
The novel is written from the murderer's viewpoint.What's your viewpoint on this issue?
Synonyms
point of view,
perspective,
angle,
position,
attitude,
stance,
slant,
belief,
conviction,
feeling,
opinion,
way of thinking,
standpoint,
vantage point,
frame of reference
in the sense of vista
Definition
an extensive view
an endless vista of snow peaks and shadowed valleys