TOP

Definition of view verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    view

     verb
    verb
    NAmE//vyu//
     
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they view
     
     he / she / it views
     
     past simple viewed
     
     -ing form viewing
     
     
    jump to other results
    think about something
  1. 1to think about someone or something in a particular way view (somebody/something as something) When the car was first built, the design was viewed as highly original. How do you view your position within the company? view somebody/something with something She viewed him with suspicion. You should view their offer with a great deal of caution. Thesaurusregard
    • call
    • find
    • consider
    • see
    • view
    These words all mean to think about someone or something in a particular way.
    • regard to think of someone or something in a particular way:He seemed to regard the whole thing as a joke.
    • call to say that someone or something has particular qualities or characteristics:I wouldn't call German an easy language.
    • find to have a particular feeling or opinion about something:You may find his story hard to believe.
    • consider to think of someone or something in a particular way:Whom do you consider (to be) responsible for the accident?
    regard or consider?These two words have the same meaning, but they are used in different patterns and structures. In this meaning, consider must be used with a complement or clause: you can consider somebody/something to be something or consider somebody/something as something, although very often the to be or as is left out:He considers himself an expert. They are considered a high-risk group.You can also consider that somebody/something is something and again, the that can be left out. Regard is used in a narrower range of structures. The most frequent structure is regard somebody/something as something; the as cannot be left out:I regard him a close friend.You cannotregard somebody/something to be somethingorregard that somebody/something is something. However, regard (but not consider in this meaning) can also be used without a noun or adjective complement but with just an object and adverb (somebody/something is highly regarded) or adverbial phrase (regard somebody/something with suspicion/jealousy/admiration).
    • see to have an opinion of something:Try to see things from her point of view.
    • view to think of someone or something in a particular way:How do you view your position within the company? View has the same meaning as regard and consider but is slightly less frequent and slightly less formal. The main structures are view somebody/something as somebody/something (you cannot leave out the as) and view somebody/something with something.
    Patterns
    • to regard/consider/see/view somebody/something as something
    • to regard/consider/see/view somebody/something from a particular perspective
    • to find/consider somebody/something to be something
    • generally/usually/often regarded/considered/seen/viewed as something
    • to regard/consider/view somebody/something favorably/unfavorably
    2. look at something
  2. 2view something to look at something, especially when you look carefully People came from all over the world to view her work. A viewing platform gave stunning views over the valley. The eclipse should only be viewed through a special lens. Thesauruslook
    • watch
    • see
    • view
    • observe
    These words all mean to turn your eyes in a particular direction.
    • look to turn your eyes in a particular direction:If you look carefully, you can just see our house from here. She looked at me and smiled.
    • watch to look at someone or something for a time, paying attention to what happens:to watch television Watch what I do, then you try.
    • see to watch a game, television program, performance, etc:In the evening we went to see a movie.
    • view (formal) to look at something, especially when you look carefully; to watch television, a movie, etc:People came from all over the world to view her artwork.
    watch, see, or view?
    • You can see/view a movie/program/show but you cannot:see/view television. View is more formal than see and is used especially in business contexts.
    • observe (formal) to watch someone or something carefully, especially to learn more about them or it:The patients were observed over a period of several months.
    Patterns
    • to look/watch for somebody/something
    • to watch/observe what/who/how…
    • to look (at)/watch/view/observe (somebody/something) with amazement/surprise/disapproval, etc.
    • to watch/see/view a movie/show/program
    • to watch/see a game/fight/match
    • to look (at somebody/something)/watch (somebody/something)/observe somebody/something carefully/closely
  3. 3view something to visit a house, etc. with the intention of buying or renting it The property can only be viewed by appointment.
    4. watch TV, movie
  4. 4view something (formal) to watch television, a movie, etc. The show has a viewing audience of six million (= six million people watch it). an opportunity to view the movie before it goes on general release Thesauruslook
    • watch
    • see
    • view
    • observe
    These words all mean to turn your eyes in a particular direction.
    • look to turn your eyes in a particular direction:If you look carefully, you can just see our house from here. She looked at me and smiled.
    • watch to look at someone or something for a time, paying attention to what happens:to watch television Watch what I do, then you try.
    • see to watch a game, television program, performance, etc:In the evening we went to see a movie.
    • view (formal) to look at something, especially when you look carefully; to watch television, a movie, etc:People came from all over the world to view her artwork.
    watch, see, or view?
    • You can see/view a movie/program/show but you cannot:see/view television. View is more formal than see and is used especially in business contexts.
    • observe (formal) to watch someone or something carefully, especially to learn more about them or it:The patients were observed over a period of several months.
    Patterns
    • to look/watch for somebody/something
    • to watch/observe what/who/how…
    • to look (at)/watch/view/observe (somebody/something) with amazement/surprise/disapproval, etc.
    • to watch/see/view a movie/show/program
    • to watch/see a game/fight/match
    • to look (at somebody/something)/watch (somebody/something)/observe somebody/something carefully/closely
See view in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: view

Nearby words