sight
sight
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "sight" is /saɪt/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable (though "sight" is a monosyllabic word):
/saɪt/
/s/ - voiceless alveolar fricative
/aɪ/ - diphthong, a combination of a near-open front unrounded vowel and a near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/t/ - voiceless alveolar stop
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: sight
Plural: sights
Verb:
Base form: sight
Third-person singular present: sights
Present participle: sighting
Past tense: sighted
Past participle: sighted
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: The faculty or power of seeing; the ability to perceive objects with the eyes.
Synonyms: vision, eyesight, perception, discernment
Antonyms: blindness, imperception
Definition 2: A thing that is seen; something that comes into view.
Synonyms: view, spectacle, scene, display, appearance
Antonyms: invisibility, obscurity, disappearance
Definition 3: A device on a firearm or other instrument that helps in aiming.
Synonyms: aim, targeter, crosshairs
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific usage)
Definition 4: The act of seeing or catching a glimpse of something or someone.
Synonyms: glimpse, viewing, spotting, observation
Antonyms: oversight, missed opportunity
Verb
Definition 1: To perceive with the eyes; to see, especially something distant or unexpected.
Synonyms: spot, discern, perceive, observe, detect, espy
Antonyms: miss, overlook, ignore, disregard
Definition 2: To aim (a firearm or other device) using its sights.
Synonyms: aim, target, align
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms; implies not aiming)
Examples of Use
Books:
"He gazed out at the rolling hills, a truly magnificent sight, and felt a sense of peace he hadn't known in years." (From The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, originally published 1911)
"The first sight of the towering city skyline always filled her with a thrilling mixture of awe and trepidation."
Newspapers:
"Wildlife enthusiasts flocked to the national park in May 2024, hoping for a rare sight of the elusive snow leopard." (Based on a news report from The Guardian)
"Emergency services were called to the scene after reports of a strange light in the sky, a sight that puzzled many residents."
Online Publications:
"The recent aurora borealis display was an unforgettable sight for those lucky enough to witness it across northern Europe in March 2024." (Based on an article from National Geographic)
"Developers are working to improve the site's accessibility for users with impaired sight, ensuring everyone can navigate the platform easily." (From a tech news blog)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "At the sight of the monster, the brave knight drew his sword and prepared for battle." (From a fantasy film, e.g., The Lord of the Rings, 2001)
Television Series: "She pointed her rifle, adjusting the sight, and took a deep breath before firing." (From a police procedural series, e.g., NCIS, 2003-present)
Video Games: "Your mission is to reach the lookout point and get a clear sight of the enemy's encampment." (From a military-themed video game, e.g., Call of Duty)
Music Lyrics: "You're a welcome sight for weary eyes, a beacon in the darkest night." (From a contemporary song lyric)
General Public Discourse:
"Oh, what a beautiful sight! The roses are finally in full bloom." (Spoken in everyday conversation)
"I lost sight of him in the crowd, and then I couldn't find my way back." (Spoken in everyday conversation)
"Keep an eye out for that new restaurant; it's a popular new sight in town." (Spoken in everyday conversation)
10 Quotes Using Sight
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed. The sight of this mystery, though it may be too much for his small mind, is still the most wonderful of all things." (Albert Einstein)
"True terror is to wake up one morning and discover that your teenage daughter is pregnant, and nine months later you are a grandmother. That sight is a true terror." (Erma Bombeck)
"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye. You can see things with your mind, but it is a poor sight to only see things with your mind." (H. Jackson Brown Jr.)
"The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper. They are waiting for our sight to improve." (Eden Phillpotts)
"Love is a sight more than a feeling." (William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet)
"Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground. It is a glorious sight to see the stars." (Theodore Roosevelt)
"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment. That is a beautiful sight." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by; And the wheel's kick and the wind's song and the white sail's shaking, And a grey mist on the sea's face and a grey dawn breaking, And a clear call for a merry call from the sea-gull. This is a fine sight to see." (John Masefield)
"We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. Our sight is influenced by our perception." (Anaïs Nin)
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. It's about changing your sight." (Marcel Proust)
Etymology
The word "sight" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots back to Old English.
In simple terms, "sight" comes from the Old English word "gesiht" or "siht," which meant "the faculty of seeing," "the act of seeing," or "something seen." It was directly related to the Old English verb "seon" (to see).
So, right from its very first known uses, the core meanings of "sight" were all about the act of seeing or the ability to see, as well as things that are seen. Over time, the spelling and pronunciation evolved, but those fundamental meanings have largely remained the same. It's a word that has been central to describing our perception of the world for well over a thousand years!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Sight
At first sight: Immediately, when first seen.
Catch sight of: To suddenly see something or someone.
Lose sight of: To no longer be able to see something or someone; to forget or neglect an objective.
Out of sight, out of mind: If you don't see something, you won't think about it.
A sight for sore eyes: A very welcome or pleasant thing to see.
By sight: To recognize someone or something without knowing them well.
In plain sight: Clearly visible; not hidden.
Set one's sights on (something): To determine to achieve something.
Lower one's sights: To reduce one's ambitions or expectations.
Not by a long shot/sight: Not at all; by no means. (Often "not by a long shot" is more common, but "not by a long sight" exists).
A common sight: Something that is often seen.
Love at first sight: Falling in love with someone the very first time you see them.
Keep a close sight on: To watch something or someone carefully.
In one's sights: As a target or objective.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt/sight: Absolutely certain. (More commonly "shadow of a doubt," but "sight" can be used for emphasis in some contexts).
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of sight from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
