What does sightsee mean?
Sightsee means to travel around and visit places that are interesting, beautiful, historically important, or otherwise worth seeing, especially as a tourist. It is most commonly used in the present continuous, as in “They are sightseeing in Paris,” and in the past continuous, as in “We were sightseeing when the rain began.” The related noun, “sightseeing,” is widely used in phrases such as “go sightseeing” and “a sightseeing tour.” The word has a practical and international meaning: it describes the activity of exploring a destination rather than simply staying in one place. It is common in both British and American English and is often associated with holidays, city tours, scenic landmarks, museums, and other attractions. A “sightseer” is someone who takes part in such travel. Although “sightsee” is closely related to the noun “sight,” its usual meaning specifically involves visiting and looking at notable places.
verbTo travel around and visit places that are interesting or notable, especially as a tourist. It is usually used in the present continuous or past continuous: “They are sightseeing in Rome.”
- To travel around and visit places of interest, especially as a tourist.
"We spent the afternoon sightseeing in the old part of the city."
"They went sightseeing along the coast and visited several historic towns."
"The tour guide suggested sightseeing before the conference begins."
The word “sightsee” is a compact linguistic time traveller: it combines “sight” with an old-style action ending to mean looking at the world’s attractions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sightsee come from?
The word is formed from “sight” and the verb ending “-see.” “Sight” comes from Old English “sihþ,” meaning the ability to see or something seen, and is related to words such as “eyesight,” “sightly,” and “sightless.” The compound verb “sightsee” developed in the 19th century, when travelling to look at notable sights became a recognizable form of tourism. It later produced “sightseeing” and “sightseer.”
Related word forms
How sightsee is actually used
“Sightsee” is usually used for travelling and visiting tourist attractions. In formal writing, “tour” or “visit places of interest” may sound more polished. The noun form is “sightseeing,” while “sightseer” means a person who visits attractions.
Easily confused with sightsee
A site is a location or place, whereas to sightsee means to travel around and visit places of interest.