seem

[seem]

verb (used without object)

1. to appear to be, feel, do, etc..

   She seems better this morning.

2. to appear to one's own senses, mind, observation, judgment, etc..

   It seems to me that someone is calling.

3. to appear to exist.

   There seems no need to go now.

4. to appear to be true, probable, or evident.

   It seems likely to rain.

5. to give the outward appearance of being or to pretend to be.

   He only seems friendly because he wants you to like him.

seem

/ siːm /

verb

1. (copula) to appear to the mind or eye; look

   this seems nice

   the car seems to be running well

2. to give the impression of existing; appear to be

   there seems no need for all this nonsense

3. used to diminish the force of a following infinitive to be polite, more noncommittal, etc

   I can't seem to get through to you

Other Word Forms

• seemer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of seem¹

First recorded before 1150–1200; Middle English seme, from Old Norse sœma “to befit, beseem,” derivative of sœmr “fitting, seemly”; akin to sōmi “honor”

Word History and Origins

Origin of seem¹

C12: perhaps from Old Norse soma to beseem, from sœmr befitting; related to Old English sēman to reconcile; see _same

Synonym Study

Seem, appear, look refer to an outward aspect that may or may not be contrary to reality. Seem is applied to something that has an aspect of truth and probability: It seems warmer today. Appear suggests the giving of an impression that may be superficial or illusory: The house appears to be deserted. Look more vividly suggests the use of the eye (literally or figuratively) or the aspect as perceived by the eye: She looked very much frightened.

Example Sentences

“It seems likely that any compromise reached to end the shutdown would not fully fund the government through the remainder of fiscal 2026, raising the specter of another shutdown in late December or January.”

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That seemed to compound longstanding concerns about lofty stock-market valuations, froth in speculative sectors and doubts about the durability of the artificial-intelligence trade.

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No amount of time seemed to be enough, and the extra volleyball began to compete with basketball as well, where he skipped games or practices if there was a conflict.

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Ultimately, his gift seemed to be not just for scientifically managing the extreme stresses placed on those plants, but the bedside manner with which he managed the human stress radiating around them.

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U.S.S.R. and France—the likelihood that Nazi No. 2 was going to walk seems slight.

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Related Words

• imply 
• look 
• show 
• sound 
• suggest