view
view — verb
1. to form a particular judgment or opinion about a person, situation, or idea base
to form a particular judgment or opinion about a person, situation, or idea based on how you see them
Tariro viewed the new policy as a positive change for the team.
view + noun + as + noun
Many experts view the current situation with deep concern.
view + noun + with + noun (attitude)
The project was viewed as a failure by most investors.
passive: be viewed as
How do you view the chances of success for the new plan?
question form: view + noun
We view this partnership as an important step for both companies.
- view as
- view with
- view from a perspective
Grammar Patterns
view + noun + as + noun/adjective
view + noun + with + noun
Usage Note
Object can be a person, a situation, an idea, or an action. The preposition 'as' introduces the opinion you hold about the object.
Common Mistakes
2. to watch or examine something with attention, typically in a formal situation li
to watch or examine something with attention, typically in a formal situation like an exhibition, presentation, or official review
Hundreds of fans gathered to view the eclipse from the hilltop.
view + noun (natural event)
The committee will view the proposal before making a decision.
formal register: view + noun (document)
Dahlia spent the afternoon viewing old photographs in the library.
Visitors can view the paintings in the main gallery from ten to six.
view + noun (artwork/exhibition)
The documentary was viewed by over two million people worldwide.
passive: be viewed by + audience
- view carefully
- view through binoculars
- public viewing
Grammar Patterns
view + noun
Usage Note
More formal than 'look at' or 'watch'. Use 'watch' for casual television viewing, 'look at' for quick glances. 'View' fits exhibitions, presentations, films, and formal observation.
Common Mistakes
3. to visit a house, apartment, or other property to decide if you want to buy or r
to visit a house, apartment, or other property to decide if you want to buy or rent it
The couple viewed three apartments before choosing the one near the park.
view + noun (property type)
Bao is planning to view the townhouse on Saturday morning.
We viewed the property yesterday and were impressed by the garden.
Estate agents often hold open days so people can view the house without an appointment.
view + noun (real estate context)
After viewing several flats, Sofia finally made an offer on one.
- view a property
- view an apartment
- arrange to view
- go to view
Grammar Patterns
view + noun (property, house, apartment, flat)
Usage Note
Object is always a building or piece of property that could be bought or rented. Common in real estate contexts. In British English, 'flat' and 'house' are typical objects; in American English, 'apartment' and 'home'.
Common Mistakes
view — noun
1. a personal opinion or belief that someone holds about a particular topic, issue,
a personal opinion or belief that someone holds about a particular topic, issue, or person.
In my view, the city should build more bike lanes to reduce traffic.
introductory phrase: in my view
Zuri expressed her view on climate change during the town hall meeting.
express + a view + on + topic
The two professors hold very different views about education reform.
hold + view(s) + about + topic
Feng asked each team member for their view on the new project plan.
ask for + someone's view + on
It is the committee's view that the proposal needs further discussion.
it is someone's view that...
- hold a view
- express a view
- exchange views
- in my view
- a contrary view
- a widely held view
- opinion
more general; view often suggests a more considered or personal stance
- belief
stronger conviction than view; less tied to reasoned judgment
- perspective
emphasises the angle or standpoint from which something is seen
- fact
a view is a personal judgment, not an objective truth
Grammar Patterns
have/hold a view + about/on + topic
in someone's view
Usage Note
Commonly introduced by the phrase 'in someone's view' to frame a statement as a personal stance rather than a fact.
Common Mistakes
2. a particular judgment or evaluation of someone's character or worth, or of the q
a particular judgment or evaluation of someone's character or worth, or of the quality of something.
The manager has a very high view of Anjali's ability to lead the team.
have a high view of + person's ability
Felix took a dim view of the prank, calling it childish and harmful.
take a dim view of something
Élise's view of her colleague improved greatly after they worked on the project together.
Brandon has a low view of politicians who break their campaign promises.
have a low view of + group of people
- take a dim view of
- have a high view of
- have a low view of
- a favourable view
- an unfavourable view
- opinion
more neutral; view in this sense carries a stronger evaluative tone
- estimation
more formal, often about worth or ability
Grammar Patterns
have a + adj + view + of + person/thing
take a + adj + view + of + person/thing
Usage Note
Frequently used with evaluative adjectives (high, low, dim, poor, favourable, unfavourable). 'Take a dim view of' is a fixed idiom meaning to disapprove of something strongly.
Common Mistakes
3. a broad way of understanding the world, influenced by a person's experiences, va
a broad way of understanding the world, influenced by a person's experiences, values, culture, or beliefs.
Growing up in a small fishing village shaped her view of the world.
shaped + someone's view of the world
Dewi's view of human nature became more optimistic after years of teaching children.
someone's view of + abstract noun
Religious traditions often strongly influence a person's view of the world.
The documentary presents a hopeful view of what society could become in the future.
presents + a + adj + view + of + noun phrase
- view of the world
- view of human nature
- view of society
- shape someone's view
- broaden one's view
- outlook
slightly less formal; often used for attitude toward life
- perspective
emphasises the angle of viewing rather than the content of the view
- worldview
direct synonym, but less common in everyday speech
Grammar Patterns
a + adj + view + of + the world/nature/society
Usage Note
Broader and more abstract than sense 1; focuses on a person's overall philosophy or outlook rather than a stance on a specific issue.
4. the scene or landscape that is visible from a particular position, especially wh
the scene or landscape that is visible from a particular position, especially when it is attractive or impressive.
The view from the top of the mountain was absolutely breathtaking.
view from + place + adjective
Ziad's hotel room had a stunning view of the ocean and the harbour.
have a + adj + view of + place
Lucía stopped to admire the view of the valley at sunset.
A tall building blocked the view of the park from her apartment window.
block + the view of + place
The restaurant offers a panoramic view of the entire city below.
offers + a + adj + view of + place
- view of the sea
- view from the window
- stunning view
- block the view
- obstruct the view
- panoramic view
Grammar Patterns
a view + of + place
a view + from + location
have a view + over/across + place
Usage Note
Often used with adjectives that express admiration (stunning, beautiful, magnificent, amazing). The preposition from gives the vantage point, while of gives what is seen.
5. a photograph, painting, or illustration that shows a particular place or scene.
a photograph, painting, or illustration that shows a particular place or scene.
The postcard showed a beautiful view of the old harbour in Lisbon.
Talia hung a framed view of the Scottish countryside on her bedroom wall.
a framed view of + place
The photographer captured a stunning view of the sunrise over the mountains.
capture + a view + of + scene
The calendar features a different view of Taiwan's national parks each month.
- a view of the lake
- paint a view
- photograph a view
- framed view
- panoramic print
- picture
more general; can show people or objects, not just places
- photograph
specifically a camera image, not a drawing or painting
- print
a copy of a photograph or artwork on paper
Grammar Patterns
a view + of + place
Usage Note
Differs from sense 4 in that it refers to a physical representation (photo, painting, print) rather than the actual scene as seen in person.
Common Mistakes
6. a special event where a limited audience is invited to look at an exhibition or
a special event where a limited audience is invited to look at an exhibition or attend a film or show before the general public is allowed in.
The museum held a private view of the new exhibition for donors and sponsors.
private view + of + exhibition
Noor received an invitation to the press view of the film before its official release.
press view + of + film
Art collectors from across Europe flew in for the gallery's preview view.
There will be a special view for VIP guests the night before the show opens.
special view + for + group + before + opening
- private view
- press view
- preview view
- invitation to a view
- preview
more general; can apply to any advance showing
- sneak peek
informal; not used for formal art world events
- advance screening
specifically for films, especially free public previews
Grammar Patterns
private view + of + exhibition/film
press view + of + show
Usage Note
In the art world, 'private view' or 'preview view' are fixed phrases for the exclusive opening of an exhibition. In film, 'press view' is the screening for critics before the public release.
7. the state of being close enough that someone can see something from where they a
the state of being close enough that someone can see something from where they are standing, without having to move or search.
As the train approached the coast, the ocean came into view.
come into view — becomes visible
Dahlia's dog ran ahead and was soon out of view behind the trees.
out of view — no longer visible
From the kitchen window, the garden was in full view.
The witness stayed hidden from view while the police searched the area.
hidden from view — deliberately not visible
There was no one in view when Christopher reached the bus stop.
- come into view
- in view
- out of view
- hidden from view
- in full view
- within view
- sight
more general, used in parallel phrases ('within sight', 'out of sight'); 'sight' is less common for 'come into view'.
- visibility
abstract noun describing how well something can be seen; not used in the same fixed phrases.
Grammar Patterns
come into view
in view
out of view
hidden from view
in full view
Usage Note
Not used as a countable noun in this sense; it appears only in fixed prepositional phrases such as 'in view', 'come into view', and 'hidden from view'.
Common Mistakes
8. placed somewhere accessible to visitors, who may walk up and examine it, typical
placed somewhere accessible to visitors, who may walk up and examine it, typically in a museum, gallery, or other public venue.
Roya's photographs will be on view at the city library until Friday.
on view at [place] — open for public viewing
A collection of ancient Chinese pottery is on view at the museum.
The museum put the newly discovered statue on view for the first time.
put [something] on view — made available to the public
The winning entries of the art competition are on view in the school hall.
Sahil took his class to see the paintings that were on view at the gallery.
- on view
- on view at
- put on view
- go on view
- on display
more general and can refer to anything shown publicly, including goods in a shop window.
- on exhibit
more formal; usually implies a curated exhibition rather than casual display.
Grammar Patterns
on view
on view at [place]
put [something] on view
Usage Note
Nearly always used in the fixed phrase 'on view'. The object on display can be anything from paintings to historical artefacts to competition entries.
Common Mistakes
9. the range of future time that people think about or plan for, especially when co
the range of future time that people think about or plan for, especially when considering what will or may happen over a short or long period.
The board adopted a long-term view of the company's growth strategy.
long-term view — planning far ahead
A short-term view of the problem ignores the needs of future generations.
Imani argued that teachers should take a broader view of student progress.
take a broader view — consider more aspects or a longer time span
The economist's view of the market covered the next ten years.
Bao encouraged the team to take a wider view of the community's needs.
- long-term view
- short-term view
- take a view
- broader view
- wider view
- outlook
very similar in meaning; 'outlook' is slightly more natural for personal future expectations ('career outlook').
- perspective
broader term that can include spatial or emotional standpoint, not only time range.
- horizon
metaphorical; often used in 'on the horizon' for something expected soon.
Grammar Patterns
a [adjective] view of [something]
take a [adjective] view
Usage Note
Often used with adjectives like 'long-term', 'short-term', 'broad', 'narrow', 'wider'. The phrase 'take a view' commonly introduces this sense.
Common Mistakes
10. the purpose someone intends to achieve; the fixed expression _with a view to_ (f
the purpose someone intends to achieve; the fixed expression _with a view to_ (followed by a gerund) signals that an action is done for that purpose.
They bought the land with a view to building a community centre.
with a view to [gerund] — indicating purpose
Wei took evening classes with a view to getting a promotion.
The two organisations met with a view to sharing their research data.
Lara saved money every month with a view to opening her own café.
The committee revised the rules with a view to making them fairer for everyone.
with a view to [making something better]
- with a view to
- with a view to doing
Grammar Patterns
with a view to [doing something]
with a view to [noun]
Usage Note
Always part of the fixed phrase 'with a view to'. The word following 'to' is a gerund (verb-ing form) or, less commonly, a noun. This phrase is more formal than 'in order to' or 'so that'.
Common Mistakes
A view from a high place looking down at something.
From the top of the tower we had a bird's-eye view of the city.
The drone gave us a bird's-eye view of the entire valley.
To have a specific goal or plan in mind.
She started her business with the goal of helping others in view.
He took the job with a promotion in view.
To appear, especially slowly from a distance.
After hours at sea, a small island hove into view.
The old ship hove into sight just before sunset.
Completely visible, especially in front of someone or something.
The thief stole the purse in full view of the security camera.
The accident happened in full view of the pedestrians.
in view of something
idiomConsidering a particular fact or situation.
In view of the rain, the picnic was moved indoors.
In view of his illness, the exam was postponed.
on view
idiomDisplayed in a public place for people to see.
The new paintings will be on view at the gallery next week.
The ancient artifacts are on view in the museum's main hall.
To have a negative opinion about someone or something.
The teacher took a dim view of students who cheated on exams.
My parents take a dim view of my staying out late.
To think about the future effects rather than just the present situation.
Investors should take the long view and not panic over short-term losses.
The company took the long view and invested in renewable energy.
With the intention or hope of achieving something.
He saved money with a view to buying a house.
She studied hard with a view to getting into a good university.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
All five words describe a person's stance on an issue, but they differ in certainty and scope. An opinion is the most general term — any personal judgment, whether well-reasoned or casual ('in my opinion, the film was too long'). A belief suggests stronger conviction, often rooted in faith, values, or experience rather than logic ('her belief that hard work always pays off'). Perspective and standpoint both emphasise the angle from which something is seen: perspective highlights how background or experience shapes understanding ('from a parent's perspective'), while standpoint often implies a principled or ideological position ('from a human rights standpoint'). Outlook leans toward the future or toward life in general ('a positive outlook on retirement'). For Taiwanese learners: 意見 (opinion) is the safest translation for most everyday contexts; 觀點 works well for perspective or standpoint; 信念 better captures belief; 展望 fits outlook. Avoid overusing 看法 for all five — in English, each carries a distinct shade that 看法 alone does not convey.
Common collocations
Etymology
View entered English through Anglo-French (vewe) and Old French (veue 'sight'), tracing back to Vulgar Latin veduta and classical Latin vidēre 'to see'. The same Latin root gives us vision, video, and visit — all built around the idea of seeing with the eyes or the mind.