Cyclodextrins (CDs), due to their discerning identification ability, exceptional of absorptivity, solubility, non-toxic nature, cost-effectiveness, commercial accessibility, and easy functionalization, serve as the primary constituents for constructing elegantly simple yet highly effective supramolecular architectures with fundamental significance. In recent decades, CDs have garnered significant attention in the scientific community, particularly for their role in developing chemical sensors based on molecular recognition phenomena. Recognizing the impressive sensing capabilities of CDs, this discussion aims to present the latest advancements in detecting various biologically relevant small compounds using CDs, employing colorimetric, fluorescence, electrochemical, and potentiometric responses. The sensing events and distinctive optical features in monomeric, dimeric, clustered, and nano-assembled structures derived from cyclodextrin are thoroughly elucidated.