Cite, site, and sight
A quintessential case of homophonic confusion: cite, site and sight can trip up even those most linguistically inclined.
Students are required to cite at least five academic articles.
The archaeological dig found ancient ruins at the historical site.
Please site your references at the end of the report. instead of ‘cite’ (to quote))
The new housing development is planned for a lovely ocean sight. instead of ‘site’ (location))
Cite vs. site vs. sight
| Word | Examples |
| cite | He cites several noteworthy authors in the article |
| site | A site has been chosen for the new school. |
| sight | He has very little sight in his right eye. |
- Cite means “to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court) “, but most commonly is used as “to quote by way of example, authority, or proof: e.g., “The research paper required us to cite at least three reputable sources to support our arguments”.
- Cite is the verb form of the noun ‘citation‘, which is understood as, “an act of quoting”. The most common use of the verb cite is in essay writing or in academic contexts where you’re required to ‘cite your sources’. Academic articles and journals typically include a ‘works cited‘ list to credit other sources of information.
- In legal jargon, cite can mean being summoned to court. This use of cite is most faithful to its original meaning, etymologically speaking, cite derives from the Latin word citare, “to summon, urge, call”.
- Site is a noun that refers to “a place where a building, town, etc. was, is or will be located”. Site is also means “a place where something has happened: the site of the battle” (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, site).
- Another use of the noun site is for website, and is often used in this sense to refer to a website.
- Sight is a noun that means “the ability to see”. As in, ”She has very good eyesight.” It also means “something that is seen,” as in, “We’re excited to do some sightseeing during our travels this summer“.
- Site and sight are sometimes confused in the context of travelling. Here’s the distinction: We’re visiting an historic site to see the sights. The ‘site‘ is the place or physical location, whereas sight is what you can see there.
“Cite”, used in sentences
| Examples: “cite’ used in sentences |
| Make sure to cite your sources, even ones you don’t quote directly.
She decided to cite the article from a well-known medical journal to back up her claims about the benefits of the new treatment. In his presentation, he was careful to cite the author’s name and publication year for every quotation he used. The professor commended the student for diligently citing a variety of academic sources in her essay. |
Sentence examples with site
| Examples: “site’ used in sentences |
| The construction workers are preparing the foundation for the new building on the construction site.
The archaeological team uncovered ancient artifacts at the excavation site, shedding light on the history of the area. The campsite was nestled in a clearing surrounded by tall trees, providing a serene and peaceful setting. The company chose a prime location for their new retail store, ensuring it was situated on a high-traffic site. The website’s design and functionality play a crucial role in attracting visitors and keeping them engaged on the site. |
Sentence examples with sight
| Examples: “sight’ used in sentences |
| My sight isn’t too good these days—I really need to get a new pair of glasses.
The view from the mountaintop was breathtaking—a panoramic sight of the valleys and distant peaks. The old castle ruins were a fascinating sight, evoking a sense of history and mystery. She lost her glasses and struggled to read the fine print, realizing how much she depended on her sense of sight. The city’s skyline at sunset was a remarkable sight, with the buildings bathed in golden light. |
‘cite,’ think ‘citation’ for referencing. For ‘site,’ associate it with a ‘website’ (a location). For ‘sight,’ recall it ends like ‘light’ (vision).
Similar words
| Word | Synonyms |
|---|---|
| cite | quote, refer to, specify, source, name, mention, make reference to, allude, adduce, give recognition to, recognize, commend, pay tribute to |
| sight | vision, perception, view, eye, appearance, seeing, visibility, viewing | site | place, location, scene, section, plot, station, ground |
Word origin: cite, site, sight
Origin of cite
|
Mid-15c., “to summon, call upon officially,” from Old French citer “to summon” (14c.), from Latin citare “to summon, urge, call; put in sudden motion, call forward; rouse, excite,”. Sense of “call forth a passage of writing, quote the words of another” is first attested 1530s. |
Origin of site
|
“Place or position occupied by something,” especially with reference to environment, also “land on which a building stands, location of a village,” late 14c., from Anglo-French site, Old French site “place, site; position,” and directly from Latin situs “a place, position, situation, location, station; idleness, sloth, inactivity; forgetfulness; the effects of neglect,” |
Origin of sight
Middle English sight, from Old English sihð, gesiht, gesihð “thing seen; power or faculty of sight; aspect; vision; apparition,” from Proto-Germanic.
Check out other commonly confused words
Practice: Sight, site, & cite
Remember to ______ your sources in the essay.
We visited the construction ______ yesterday.
The mountain view was an amazing ______.
Please ______ the law you are referring to.
Keep your ______ on the ball during practice.
FAQs
What is the most common meaning of “cite”?
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What does the word “site” refer to?
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What does “sight” typically mean?
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How are “site” and “sight” different for travel?
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What’s a common mistake with “cite” or “site”?
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Yash, D. "How to Use Cite, Site & Sight (Explained, With Examples)." Grammarflex, Aug 24, 2025, https://grammarflex.com/cite-sight-site-usage/.
