sight

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sight' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that one can see, or to a place that one can visit. For example: "The sight of the mountain range was breathtaking."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Opinion

Books

Film

Environment

Politics

Society

Music

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I'm never sick of the sight of chocolate," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I feel the same about the sight of women in full burqas: social pressure that hides them from sight diminishes us all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unemployment is rampant on Hormuz and I notice drug addicts in the street, a rare sight in Qeshm.

The Guardian

The 'canary' yellow with green side panels somehow made an even greater sight of the brawny specimens donning Australian caps (and also provided a colourful back-drop to the underarm incident, it must be said), while powder blue, maroon, lime green and beige surely reached their zenith.

The Guardian - Sport

One teacher told the Observer: "Girls hitching up their skirts is not new, but it is getting worse, and the skirts are getting so high that male teachers are constantly saying they are embarrassed by the sight of female underwear in the corridors and especially on the stairs".

The Guardian

The ingredients make a big difference for sight, taste, texture and smell.

The Guardian - Opinion

Sure, at first sight, all the papers appear to be terrified of a government they don't want.

The Guardian

With feelings running high, the sight of a Network Rail hi-vis jacket beside a level crossing attracts the attention of a man who comes striding across a Suffolk beet field, brandishing an alarmingly large pair of secateurs.

The Guardian

Alexander Lapko, a senior specialist at the Nato liaison office in Kiev, wrote in October in the New York Times that his family had to spend $2,400 £1,6155) on a uniform, boots, gun sight, flak jacket and helmet for his brother, who was issued only a Kalashnikov assault rifle when he joined the army last year.

The Guardian

A bizarre own-goal by the Hearts captain, Danny Wilson, set Killie on their way and two goals by Kris Boyd after Dale Carrick had levelled for the struggling visitors seemed to put the home side out of sight.

The Guardian - Sport

This "escape from the outside world" policy is especially welcome when you haven't worked in months, and the sight of people furiously emailing made me feel rather depressed.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a visual scene, use "sight" to emphasize the act of seeing or the appearance of something. For example, "The sight of the sunset was breathtaking."

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "sight" with "site". "Sight" refers to the ability to see or something that is seen, while "site" refers to a location or place.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sight" is a noun, referring to the ability to see, something that is seen, or a device used for aiming. Ludwig examples confirm its use in various contexts, as also suggested by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

15%

Books

10%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Opinion

7%

Film

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "sight" is a versatile noun with multiple meanings, ranging from the ability to see to something worth seeing. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in written English. Its high frequency in news media and various contexts demonstrates its common usage. When using "sight", be mindful of its different meanings and the potential for confusion with homophones like "site". Remember, as shown by Ludwig's examples, "sight" describes visual aspects, appearances or perspectives and this makes it distinct from "vision" which encompasses a broader sense. Overall, "sight" is a valuable word for any writer to have in their vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vision

Focuses specifically on the ability to see or the process of seeing.

view

Emphasizes what can be seen from a particular location or angle.

appearance

Refers to the way something looks or presents itself visually.

spectacle

Highlights something that is visually striking or impressive.

scene

Denotes a specific visual setting or display.

image

Refers to a visual representation or impression.

panorama

Implies a wide and comprehensive view.

aspect

Focuses on a particular feature or quality that is visible.

glimpse

Suggests a brief or partial view.

vista

Describes a long and often beautiful view.

FAQs

How can I use "sight" in a sentence?

"Sight" can refer to the ability to see, something seen, or a device for aiming. Examples: "Her sight was failing.", "The mountains were a beautiful sight.", "Adjust the gun's sight before firing."

What's the difference between "sight" and "vision"?

"Sight" is the ability to see or something seen, while "vision" is the broader sense of seeing and interpreting what is seen. "Vision" also implies imagination or foresight.

What are some synonyms for "sight"?

Synonyms for "sight" include "view", "vision", "appearance", and "spectacle" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a sight for sore eyes"?

Yes, "a sight for sore eyes" is a common idiom. It means someone or something that one is very pleased to see.