see

The most common use for the word "see" is as a verb when looking at things with the eyes.

• I can’t see very well without my glasses.
• Can you see the road with all this snow?
• Let’s go see a movie tonight. (When you "see" a movie, you leave your house and go to a movie theater.)
• No one saw the accident.
• Have you seen my keys? I can’t find them.

He needs glasses in order to see.

There are some other interesting ways to use the verb "see." In the next group of examples, "see" means to "understand."

• I see what you mean.
• Does anyone see a way to take care of this situation?
• He sees a solution to the problem.
• Martha doesn’t see a reason to move from her apartment.
• I don’t see why they can’t finish their work.

To see someone is to have a relationship, professionally, romantically, or as friends:

• He’s been seeing Rachel for almost two years. (To see someone often means to date or be in a relationship.)
• She doesn’t want to see him any more. (She wants to end the relationship.)
• You should see a doctor if your stomach still hurts. (The word "see" is often used in place of "visit" for the doctor or the dentist.)
• Martha’s kids haven’t seen a dentist in over two years.
• I think you need to see a lawyer.
• We’re going to go see some of our friends tonight.

There are some idioms and expressions that make use of the word "see."

• Tom’s family saw him through a difficult time in his life. (to see one through = to help)
• Let me see you to the door. (I’ll walk you to the door as you leave my house.)
• Are you seeing what I’m seeing? (Can you believe this is real?)
• What you see is what you get. (Sometimes this is shorted to "WYSIWYG." It means that you won’t receive any more than what you see in front of you. This is a popular expression.)

For more examples of how to use the word "see," click here for this Purple Level lesson.

Click here to learn more words.