Sightseeing: meaning, definitions and examples

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sightseeing

 

[ ˈsaɪtˌsiːɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

tourism

The activity of visiting interesting places, especially as a tourist.

Synonyms

exploring, touring, visiting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sightseeing

Used when talking about visiting famous or interesting places, usually as a tourist. Often implies a more planned or organized experience.

  • We spent the afternoon sightseeing around the city, visiting all the major landmarks.
  • Sightseeing in Rome can be quite overwhelming due to the number of historic attractions.
touring

Used in the context of traveling around a place, often with a guide or as part of a tour. It implies a more structured and organized way of visiting various locations.

  • We are touring the vineyards of Napa Valley with a group of friends.
  • The art museum was fascinating, and we had a great time touring it with a knowledgeable guide.
exploring

Used when referring to discovering new places or experiences, often in a more adventurous or less planned way. It can imply a sense of curiosity and discovery.

  • We spent the day exploring the forest trails and discovering hidden waterfalls.
  • Exploring new neighborhoods in the city is one of my favorite weekend activities.
visiting

Generally used when talking about going to see a person or place. It can be used for casual, social, or formal visits and has a broad range of applications.

  • I'm visiting my grandparents this weekend.
  • She is visiting the new exhibit at the museum.

Examples of usage

  • We spent the day sightseeing in London.
  • Sightseeing is a popular tourist activity in Rome.
Context #2 | Noun

general

The practice of looking at famous or interesting sights.

Synonyms

exploring, touring, visiting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sightseeing

Use this word when talking about looking at famous places, landmarks, and attractions, usually in a city or tourist area.

  • We spent the afternoon sightseeing in Paris, visiting the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame Cathedral.
  • She went sightseeing in Rome, seeing the Colosseum and the Vatican.
touring

This word is appropriate when referring to traveling around a place or area, often with a planned route, sometimes led by a guide.

  • We are touring the wine country this weekend with a group of friends.
  • They went touring around Europe, visiting different countries over the summer.
exploring

This word fits when talking about discovering new places, areas, or details, especially in a more adventurous or thorough manner.

  • They enjoyed exploring the forest trails and finding hidden waterfalls.
  • He spent the weekend exploring the city’s underground art scene.
visiting

Use this word when you go to see a particular place or person. It’s more general and can refer to temporary stays or short trips.

  • She's visiting her grandmother in the countryside for a few days.
  • We are visiting the National Museum this afternoon.

Examples of usage

  • She enjoys sightseeing in new cities.
  • The city offers a variety of sightseeing opportunities.

Translations

Translations of the word "sightseeing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 turismo

🇮🇳 दर्शनीय स्थल देखना

🇩🇪 Besichtigung

🇮🇩 wisata

🇺🇦 огляд визначних місць

🇵🇱 zwiedzanie

🇯🇵 観光 (かんこう)

🇫🇷 tourisme

🇪🇸 turismo

🇹🇷 gezi

🇰🇷 관광 (관광)

🇸🇦 مشاهدة المعالم السياحية

🇨🇿 prohlídka

🇸🇰 prehliadka

🇨🇳 观光 (guānguāng)

🇸🇮 ogled znamenitosti

🇮🇸 skoðunarferð

🇰🇿 қаланың көрікті жерлерін аралау

🇬🇪 ღირსშესანიშნაობების დათვალიერება

🇦🇿 gəzinti

🇲🇽 turismo

Etymology

The term 'sightseeing' originated in the early 19th century as a combination of 'sight' (something seen) and 'seeing' (the act of seeing). It became popular with the rise of tourism and travel, as people started exploring and visiting new places for leisure and cultural experiences.

See also: foresight, insight, nearsighted, oversight, sight, sighting, sightless, sightline, sights, sightseer, unsightliness, unsightly.