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to sight

to sight

26 2.8
To suddenly see something for a short time
  • verb
  • /saɪt/
translation icon : avistar
  • Sir, a ship has been sighted half a point on the port bow.
  • birds were sighted
  • whales were sighted

Examples

  • His discovery marked the first time dust devils were sighted from the Martian surface.

    Academic text (2000)
  • And the legend goes that any ship that sights her is doomed to die in space.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Then, one seemingly ordinary day, I saw something shining far off in the distance.

  • Sea monster sighted off the port side!

  • Three days later, he sighted a wreck in the same area.

  • Captain, we've, um, sighted another ship, sir.

  • Last night we sighted some Viking ships off this coast.

  • Anyway, two months after she set sail... she was sighted by a group of fishermen off Tripoli.

  • A suspected dracowolf was sighted by a hydrology field team last week.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • As they explored the jungles of Peru, the researchers sighted an ancient Incan temple hidden among the trees.

Synonyms

to see
vsto sight
1.0

To notice something with your eyes

is the sudden brief form of visual awareness rather than general watching
to notice
vsto sight
1.0

To see or become aware of something

is specifically sudden and brief rather than general awareness or attention
to catch
vsto sight
474 2.1

To notice something quickly with the senses or mind

is focused on quick visual noticing rather than any perception
to glance
vsto sight
299 1.5

To look quickly at someone or something

is sudden and often accidental rather than a planned brief look
to glance at
vsto sight
150 2.0

Look quickly at someone or something

is usually sudden and unplanned rather than a quick deliberate look
to behold
vsto sight
  • Archaic
131 7.6

To see something impressive, like a beautiful view or event

is sudden brief noticing without the sense of wonder or formality
to get a look
vsto sight
88 2.8

To see someone or something for a short time

is the sudden brief awareness rather than a planned short look
to perceive
vsto sight
83 3.7

To notice something with your senses, especially sight or hearing

is limited to sudden brief visual awareness rather than any sensory awareness
to lay eyes on
vsto sight
  • Informal
59 3.7

To see someone or something for the first time after a long time

is about sudden brief noticing not tied to timing or reunion contexts
to spy
vsto sight
40 3.1

To notice something suddenly or after looking for it

is mainly about unexpectedly becoming aware without prior searching
to catch a glimpse
vsto sight
34 3.4

To see someone or something for a very short time

is similar but covers sudden brief awareness without partial emphasis
to catch sight
vsto sight
16 3.0

To see something for a short time, usually by chance

is the general sudden brief form of becoming aware by vision
to catch sight of
vsto sight
15 2.4

To see someone or something suddenly and for a short time

is the sudden brief act of becoming aware through vision
to espy
vsto sight
  • Archaic
1 9.9

To see something partly or far away

is broader sudden brief awareness, not limited by distance or partial view
to clap eyes on
vsto sight
  • Archaic
1 8.0

To see someone or something for the first time

is sudden brief awareness but not restricted to first or rare encounters

Antonyms

1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

243 2.9

To not notice someone or something you should see

Idioms

159 1.0

Able to be seen now or close by

When you first see something and notice or feel something right away

65 2.8

You cannot see it from here

Easily seen because it is not hidden

A strong feeling for someone the first time you see them

24 3.3

Immediately after you see or notice something

12 3.4

Kept where you cannot see it

9 4.2

A welcome person or thing you are glad to see after time away, for example after a hard time

Something very beautiful or impressive to see

5 3.2

All the things you can see that people often take or eat quickly

4 7.2

Without seeing something first, often when you buy it from photos

3 5.2

To be easy to see but not noticed by others

2 8.8

A lot better than someone or something else

2 4.8

Easy to see but not noticed because it looks ordinary

1 9.1

A lot more said in an informal, rude way to show a strong difference

9.9

A lot better than something else

fuck sight easier
  • Offensive
9.9

Much easier than expected, said in a rude way

Not true at all

7.2

An unpleasant scene that shocks people

Phrasal Verbs

To stop being able to see a person or thing because something blocks your view

To see something for a short time, usually by chance

To see someone or something suddenly and for a short time

Leave a person because they are angry with you

6 6.5

You feel upset or faint when you see something you dislike

To continue to think about something as an important goal

Compounds

217 3.1

What you see when you look at someone or something

19 3.5

A straight view from your eye to an object with nothing blocking it

4 1.0

Something often seen in a place or situation

second sight
  • Literature
3 9.9

To see or know things before they happen

2 6.4

A joke you see that makes people laugh without words

A very beautiful view that makes you feel amazed

telescopic sight
  • Specialized
1 7.4

A small telescope fixed to a gun to help aim at distant targets

gun-sight
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A small device on a gun that helps you aim

sight draft
  • Formal
1 8.9

A written bill that is paid at once when shown to the person who must pay

battle sight
  • Specialized
8.5

An arrangement of sights on a gun that helps aim quickly at close targets

Being able to see in low light, for example at night

open sight
  • Specialized
7.3

A simple part on a gun with an open notch for aiming

panoramic sight
  • Specialized
9.9

A sight on a large gun that turns in a full circle to help aim accurately

peep sight
  • Specialized
8.0

A small rear part with a tiny hole that helps a shooter line up the front post and the target

telescope sight
  • Specialized
6.7

A small tube with lenses mounted on a gun to help aim at distant targets

sight bill
  • Formal
9.3

A written order that the bank or buyer must pay immediately when shown

sight setting
  • Specialized
8.5

A small change to a gun's aiming device so shots hit a target at a chosen distance

How Clear

to observe
619 2.4
to see
1.0
to sight
26 2.8
to spot
576 2.1

Surface Forms

sight infinitive
sighted past participle
sighting present participle
sights third person singular
saw past

Etymology

Sight as a verb comes from the old idea of 'seeing' and meant 'to catch a view of' someone or something, often suddenly. So to sight something is to see or notice it, usually briefly or unexpectedly.