verb

apercevoir

see · catch sight of · catch sight

Voir quelque chose ou quelqu’un rapidement ou de loin, sans bien distinguer les détails.

Definition & meaning

Apercevoir is a French verb meaning to notice, perceive, or catch sight of something. It often suggests seeing something briefly or becoming aware of it without looking closely.

It also appears in the pronominal form s’apercevoir de, meaning to realize or to become aware of something.

Grammar & Word origin

Apercevoir is an irregular verb in the third group, conjugated like recevoir. Its present-tense forms include j’aperçois (“I notice”) and nous apercevons (“we notice”).

The verb is historically related to percevoir (“to perceive”), with the prefix a-. Its origin goes back to Old French and ultimately to Latin roots associated with perceiving or grasping.

Synonyms & antonyms

remarquer — “to notice”; often implies that something has attracted your attention.
observer — “to observe”; usually suggests looking more deliberately or carefully.
entrevoir — “to glimpse”; emphasizes seeing something only partially or briefly.
constater — “to observe” or “to establish”; often suggests recognizing a fact.

There is no single direct antonym in every sense. Depending on context:

ne pas voir — “not to see,” a straightforward opposite when apercevoir means “catch sight of.”
manquer — “to miss” or “fail to notice,” an opposite when something goes unnoticed.