  This is a brief review of some of the uses of nonlinear sigma models. After a
short general discussion touching on point particles, strings and condensed
matter systems, focus is shifted to sigma models as probes of target space
geometries. The relation of supersymmetric non-linear sigma models to K\"ahler,
hyperk\"ahler, hyperk\"ahler with torsion and generalised K\"ahler geometries
is described.
