View vs. Sight: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on September 22, 2023
View refers to a specific perspective or vantage point from which something is seen, while Sight generally refers to the act or power of seeing itself or something worth seeing.
Key Differences
"View" often denotes a specific point of observation. For example, one can have a view of the ocean from a hilltop. It can be both literal, like looking out a window, or metaphorical, as in a point of view in a discussion. On the other hand, "sight" is more about the faculty or action of seeing. When one talks about losing their sight, it generally means the ability to see is compromised, not that a specific viewpoint is lost.
"View" also extends to opinions or beliefs. When we say someone has a conservative view on taxation, it's more about intellectual or ideological perspectives. "Sight," however, does not share this semantic range. While you can have a sight to behold, implying something worth seeing, it doesn't stretch to encompass opinions or beliefs.
Grammatically, "view" is primarily a noun but can serve as a verb as well, especially when talking about considering or inspecting something. For example, one can view a piece of art. "Sight," primarily a noun, has a more restricted grammatical role. The verb form "to sight" exists but is less commonly used, often referring to the act of spotting something at a distance, like in "sighting a ship."
In summary, "view" is a versatile term that can refer to a specific vantage point, a perspective, or even an opinion. "Sight" is mainly concerned with the act or ability to see and generally does not refer to perspectives or opinions. These two words, while related, have distinct uses and should not be used interchangeably.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Perspective or vantage point
Act or ability of seeing
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Semantics
Can also refer to opinions
Primarily about visual perception
Grammatical Role
Used as both a noun and a verb
Mostly used as a noun
Scope
Specific or general
Usually specific
Usage
Broad, varies by context
Narrow, primarily about seeing
View and Sight Definitions
View
Opinion
In my view, this is the best option.
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Sight
Appearance
The sight of the rainbow made her happy.
View
An examination using the eyes; a look
Used binoculars to get a better view.
Sight
The ability to see.
View
Field of vision
The aircraft has disappeared from view.
Sight
Field of vision
Out of my sight.
View
A scene that can be looked at from a particular position; a vista
The view from the tower.
Sight
The act or fact of seeing
Hoping for a sight of land.
Caught sight of a rare bird.
View
A way of showing or seeing something, as from a particular position or angle
A side view of the house.
Sight
Something seen
That bird is a rare sight around here.
View
An individual and personal perception, judgment, or interpretation; an opinion
In his view, aid to the rebels should be suspended.
Sight
Something worth seeing; a spectacle
The sights of London.
View
An aim or intention
The law was written with a view toward safeguarding privacy.
Sight
(Informal) Something unsightly or ridiculous
Looked a sight after crossing the swamp.
View
Consideration or concern
“The pitch of the roof had been calculated with a view to the heavy seasonal rains” (Caroline Alexander).
Sight
The foreseeable future; prospect
No solution in sight.
View
Expectation or likelihood
The measure has no view of success.
Sight
Mental perception or consideration
We lost sight of the purpose of our visit.
View
To look at, examine, or inspect
Viewed the stars through the telescope.
Sight
Often sights A device used to assist aim by guiding the eye, as on a firearm or surveying instrument.
View
To watch (a movie or show, for example) on a screen.
Sight
An aim or observation taken with such a device.
View
To survey or study mentally; consider
When you view all their suggestions, you have to feel encouraged.
Sight
To perceive with the eyes; get sight of
Sighted land after 40 days at sea.
View
To think of (something) in a particular way; regard
Doesn't view herself as a success.
Viewed their efforts unfavorably.
Sight
To observe through a sight or an optical instrument
Sight a target.
View
(physical) Visual perception.
Sight
To adjust the sights of (a rifle, for example).
View
The act of seeing or looking at something.
He changed seats to get a complete view of the stage.
Sight
To take aim with (a firearm).
View
The range of vision.
If there are any rabbits in this park, they keep carefully out of our view.
Sight
To direct one's gaze; look carefully.
View
Something to look at, such as scenery.
My flat has a view of a junkyard.
The view from a window
Sight
To take aim
Sighted along the barrel of the gun.
View
(Internet) An individual viewing of a web page or a video etc. by a user.
Sight
(in the singular) The ability to see.
He is losing his sight and now can barely read.
View
(obsolete) Appearance; show; aspect.
Sight
The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view.
To gain sight of land
View
A picture, drawn or painted; a sketch.
A fine view of Lake George
Sight
Something seen.
View
An opinion, judgement, imagination, idea or belief.
Sight
Something worth seeing; a spectacle, either good or bad.
We went to London and saw all the sights – Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, and so on.
You really look a sight in that ridiculous costume!
View
A mental image.
I need more information to get a better view of the situation.
Sight
A device used in aiming a projectile, through which the person aiming looks at the intended target.
View
A way of understanding something, an opinion, a theory.
Your view on evolution is based on religious doctrines, not on scientific findings.
Sight
A small aperture through which objects are to be seen, and by which their direction is settled or ascertained.
The sight of a quadrant
View
A point of view.
From my view that is a stupid proposition.
Sight
A great deal, a lot; frequently used to intensify a comparative.
A sight of money
This is a darn sight better than what I'm used to at home!
View
An intention or prospect.
He smuggled a knife into prison with a view to using it as a weapon.
Sight
In a drawing, picture, etc., that part of the surface, as of paper or canvas, which is within the frame or the border or margin. In a frame, the open space, the opening.
View
A virtual or logical table composed of the result set of a query in relational databases.
Sight
(obsolete) The instrument of seeing; the eye.
View
The part of a computer program which is visible to the user and can be interacted with
Sight
Mental view; opinion; judgment.
In their sight it was harmless.
View
A wake. en
Sight
(transitive) To see; to get sight of (something); to register visually.
To sight land from a ship
View
(transitive) To look at.
The video was viewed by millions of people.
Sight
(transitive) To observe though, or as if through, a sight, to check the elevation, direction, levelness, or other characteristics of, especially when surveying or navigating.
View
(transitive) To regard in a stated way.
I view it as a serious breach of trust.
Sight
(transitive) To apply sights to; to adjust the sights of.
To sight a rifle or a cannon
View
The act of seeing or beholding; sight; look; survey; examination by the eye; inspection.
Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view.
Objects near our view are thought greater than those of a larger size that are more remote.
Surveying nature with too nice a view.
Sight
To observe or aim (at something) using a (gun) sight.
View
Mental survey; intellectual perception or examination; as, a just view of the arguments or facts in a case.
I have with exact view perused thee, Hector.
Sight
The act of seeing; perception of objects by the eye; view; as, to gain sight of land.
A cloud received him out of their sight.
View
Power of seeing, either physically or mentally; reach or range of sight; extent of prospect.
The walls of Pluto's palace are in view.
Sight
The power of seeing; the faculty of vision, or of perceiving objects by the instrumentality of the eyes.
Thy sight is young,And thou shalt read when mine begin to dazzle.
O loss of sight, of thee I most complain!
View
That which is seen or beheld; sight presented to the natural or intellectual eye; scene; prospect; as, the view from a window.
'T is distance lends enchantment to the view.
Sight
The state of admitting unobstructed vision; visibility; open view; region which the eye at one time surveys; space through which the power of vision extends; as, an object within sight.
View
The pictorial representation of a scene; a sketch, either drawn or painted; as, a fine view of Lake George.
Sight
A spectacle; a view; a show; something worth seeing.
Moses said, I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
They never saw a sight so fair.
View
Mode of looking at anything; manner of apprehension; conception; opinion; judgment; as, to state one's views of the policy which ought to be pursued.
To give a right view of this mistaken part of liberty.
Sight
The instrument of seeing; the eye.
Why cloud they not their sights?
View
That which is looked towards, or kept in sight, as object, aim, intention, purpose, design; as, he did it with a view of escaping.
No man sets himself about anything but upon some view or other which serves him for a reason.
Sight
Inspection; examination; as, a letter intended for the sight of only one person.
View
Appearance; show; aspect.
[Graces] which, by the splendor of her viewDazzled, before we never knew.
Sight
Mental view; opinion; judgment; as, in their sight it was harmless.
That which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
View
To see; to behold; especially, to look at with attention, or for the purpose of examining; to examine with the eye; to inspect; to explore.
O, let me view his visage, being dead.
Nearer to view his prey, and, unespied,To mark what of their state he more might learn.
Sight
A small aperture or optical device through which objects are to be seen, and by which their direction is settled or ascertained; - used on surveying instruments; as, the sight of a quadrant.
Thier eyes of fire sparking through sights of steel.
View
To survey or examine mentally; to consider; as, to view the subject in all its aspects.
The happiest youth, viewing his progress through.
Sight
An optical device or small piece of metal, fixed or movable, on the breech, muzzle, center, or trunnion of a gun, or on the breech and the muzzle of a rifle, pistol, etc., by means of which the eye is guided in aiming. A telescope mounted on a weapon, such as a rifle, and used for accurate aiming at distant targets is called a telescopic sight.
View
A way of regarding situations or topics etc.;
Consider what follows from the positivist view
Sight
In a drawing, picture, etc., that part of the surface, as of paper or canvas, which is within the frame or the border or margin. In a frame or the like, the open space, the opening.
View
The visual percept of a region;
The most desirable feature of the park are the beautiful views
Sight
A great number, quantity, or sum; as, a sight of money.
A wonder sight of flowers.
View
The act of looking or seeing or observing;
He tried to get a better view of it
His survey of the battlefield was limited
Sight
To get sight of; to see; as, to sight land; to sight a wreck.
View
The range of the eye;
They were soon out of view
Sight
To look at through a sight; to see accurately; as, to sight an object, as a star.
View
A personal belief or judgment that is not founded on proof or certainty;
My opinion differs from yours
What are your thoughts on Haiti?
Sight
To apply sights to; to adjust the sights of; also, to give the proper elevation and direction to by means of a sight; as, to sight a rifle or a cannon.
View
A message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof;
His opinions appeared frequently on the editorial page
Sight
To take aim by a sight.
View
Purpose; the phrase `with a view to' means `with the intention of' or `for the purpose of';
He took the computer with a view to pawning it
Sight
An instance of visual perception;
The sight of his wife brought him back to reality
The train was an unexpected sight
View
Graphic art consisting of the graphic or photographic representation of a visual percept;
He painted scenes from everyday life
Figure 2 shows photographic and schematic views of the equipment
Sight
Anything that is seen;
He was a familiar sight on the television
They went to Paris to see the sights
View
The range of interest or activity that can be anticipated;
It is beyond the horizon of present knowledge
Sight
The ability to see; the faculty of vision
View
Outward appearance;
They look the same in outward view
Sight
A optical instrument for aiding the eye in aiming, as on a firearm or surveying instrument
View
Deem to be;
She views this quite differently from me
I consider her to be shallow
I don't see the situation quite as negatively as you do
Sight
A range of mental vision;
In his sight she could do no wrong
View
Look at carefully; study mentally;
View a problem
Sight
The range of vision;
Out of sight of land
View
See or watch;
View a show on television
This program will be seen all over the world
View an exhibition
Catch a show on Broadway
See a movie
Sight
The act of looking or seeing or observing;
He tried to get a better view of it
His survey of the battlefield was limited
View
Perspective
His view on the matter was well-respected.
Sight
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
View
Scenery
The view from the mountaintop was breathtaking.
Sight
Catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes;
He caught sight of the king's men coming over the ridge
View
Range of sight
The skyscraper obstructed her view.
Sight
Vision
He lost his sight in an accident.
View
To inspect
I'll view the document before signing it.
Sight
Remarkable phenomenon
The aurora borealis is a sight to behold.
Sight
Act of seeing
The sight of food made him hungry.
Sight
Object in view
The island was a welcome sight.
FAQs
Can 'view' refer to an opinion?
Yes, 'view' can refer to a specific perspective or opinion.
Is 'sight' ever a verb?
It can be, but it's less common and usually means to spot something at a distance.
Is every 'sight' a 'view'?
Not necessarily. A 'sight' could be a specific object or phenomenon, while 'view' refers more to a perspective.
Can 'view' be a verb?
Yes, 'view' can also be used as a verb, as in "to view a painting."
Can 'view' refer to a mental perspective?
Yes, 'view' can refer to an intellectual or ideological perspective.
Can a 'view' be obstructed?
Yes, something can block or obstruct your 'view'.
What does 'out of sight' mean?
'Out of sight' means not visible or not within the field of vision.
Is 'sight' synonymous with 'vision'?
Yes, 'sight' often refers to the ability or act of seeing, similar to 'vision'.
Can 'view' refer to a display screen?
Yes, 'view' can refer to what is displayed on a screen, like a "bird's-eye view."
Can you lose your 'sight'?
Yes, losing 'sight' generally means losing the ability to see.
Is 'sight' always visual?
Generally, yes. 'Sight' primarily concerns visual perception.
Can 'view' refer to a scope?
Yes, 'view' can also refer to the range of sight or coverage.
Can 'view' be synonymous with 'landscape'?
In some contexts, yes. 'View' can refer to a scenic vista or landscape.
Can 'sight' be figurative?
Less commonly. While 'sight' is usually literal, phrases like "a sight for sore eyes" use it more figuratively.
What does 'at first sight' mean?
'At first sight' refers to an initial visual impression.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
