must-see
B2Informal (predominantly), occasionally journalistic/promotional
Definition
Meaning
Something, especially a film, show, or place, that is so good or interesting that it should be seen.
Any event, experience, or phenomenon considered essential or highly recommended to witness.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily functions as a compound adjective (a must-see film) or noun (a must-see). Implies a strong, often culturally or subjectively driven recommendation. The hyphen is standard in both adjective and noun uses.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Usage and form are identical. Slightly more common in American promotional language.
Connotations
Both varieties share connotations of strong recommendation, often used in entertainment/travel media. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English, but well-established and common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be] a must-see for [audience][be] considered a must-see[Noun Phrase] is a must-seeVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in marketing/promotion for entertainment or tourism products.
Academic
Very rare; considered too informal for academic prose.
Everyday
Common in conversational recommendations and social media.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The new Banksy exhibition is a must-see attraction in London this summer.
- That documentary on the coral reefs is absolutely must-see television.
American English
- The final season of that show is must-see TV for any fan.
- The Grand Canyon is a must-see destination on any road trip.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This film is a must-see.
- London Eye is a must-see in London.
- If you visit Paris, the Louvre is a must-see for art lovers.
- The guidebook listed several must-see sights in the old town.
- Critics are hailing the director's latest work as an absolute must-see.
- While planning our itinerary, we marked all the must-see historical landmarks.
- The immersive art installation has become a cultural must-see, drawing visitors from across the continent.
- Beyond the obvious must-sees, the city boasts a wealth of lesser-known galleries worth exploring.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cinema ticket that says 'MUST' instead of your seat number. You MUST go in and SEE.
Conceptual Metaphor
CULTURAL OBLIGATION IS A PHYSICAL JOURNEY (you are compelled to go and witness it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation 'должен-видеть'. Use 'обязательно к просмотру' (for films), 'must-see' as a loanword, or 'то, что стоит увидеть'.
Common Mistakes
- Writing as two separate words ('must see') when used attributively (e.g., 'a must-see movie' requires the hyphen).
- Overusing in formal contexts.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'must-see' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is predominantly informal. It's common in spoken language, reviews, advertising, and casual writing, but should be avoided in very formal or academic texts.
Yes, very commonly. For example: 'Add the castle to your list of must-sees.'
Yes, when it functions as a compound adjective before a noun (a must-see movie) or as a compound noun (a must-see). If 'must' and 'see' are part of a verb phrase, no hyphen is used (You must see this film).
They are very close synonyms. 'Unmissable' can be slightly stronger and more emphatic, while 'must-see' is more common in everyday promotional language. 'Unmissable' is also less likely to be used as a standalone noun.