See, look at, and watch

To understand the difference between "see", "look at" and "watch" it helps to think about a few different things.

See

"See" is used to say that some information or picture comes to our eye. Look at the picture. A dictionary would say something like this:

"To perceive with the eyes."

To stop seeing things, you have to close your eyes. If you look away, you will still see something. 

Look At

When you "look at" something, you point your eyes at it so you can see it. Look at the picture. Something is the target of your eyes. Dictionaries say this:

"To use sight in a direction, or on an object."

So "look at" is "see" plus some target. To stop looking at something, all you have to do is look away!

Watch 

"Watch" is something more than "see" and "look at". "Watch" needs focus and concentration. When we watch something, it changes and things happen. Watching is more active. The dictionary says this:

"To observe carefully."

Watching usually lasts longer than seeing something or looking at it. When we watch, we focus and think. If you look away, you might miss something!

Compare Them!

When words are so close in meaning, it helps to think of ways to compare them and examples or cases where they are different.

"My Wife and Mother-in-Law" - William Hill (1915): A famous optical illusion. Look! What do you see?

"Look at" versus "See"

Sometimes you look, but you can't see. You look at a tree, but you don't see the birds.

Look at the famous optical illusion on the right. When you look at an optical illusion, you see something surprising or different. Look at the picture. What do you see? Do you see a young woman (the wife) or an old woman (the mother-in-law)?

What about when you and your friend are both looking at the night sky:

You: Did you see that! A shooting star!

Friend: No. I was looking, but I didn't see it.

"Look at" and "Watch"

Both of these words have a target. What is the difference? "Look at" might be for a short time. "Watch" means you wait and see if something happens. Imagine we are at an art gallery. I say, "Look at this!" and you study the painting. You see its details. But, if I say, "Watch this!" then you will think, "Why? Will something happen? Will it move? Or change?"

Idioms

Some confusion can come from the different meanings that these three very common words have. When you look at them closely, you will realise that they mean something more than using your eyes. Here are some examples to watch out for. Hopefully they will help you to see the point.

See	1. understand.	I see what you mean.
	2. imagine.	I don't see that you can.
	3. find out.	I'll see what time it starts.
	4. meet.	I saw my friend at the weekend.
	5. date.	We have been seeing each other for six months.
	6. attend as a viewer.	Let's see a movie tonight!
	7. make sure.	See that you finish by 5.
Look	1. appear or seem.	He looks happy.
	2. face.	The house looks over the city.
	3. pay attention.	Look, I think there is a better way.
Watch	1. guard.	Watch the prisoner!
	2. keep up on.	I have been watching the exchange rate.
	3. attend as a spectator.	I will watch the game on Saturday.

 

Notes: 

1. Studying the difference between "hear" and "listen to" will help you with "see", "look at" and "watch". "Hear" is like "see" and "listen to" is like "look at" and "watch".
2. There are some idiomatic meanings to these words. These should not confuse you. This page talks about these words and how they relate to using your eyes!
3. These three words are a crucial example of when it is best to try to understand things in English and not to translate (if you can). We recommend a good learner's dictionary, or ask your Editor.

Contributing author(s): Matthew