deem
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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deemsimple
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deemssimple
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have deemedperfect
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has deemedperfect
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am deemingprogressive
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are deemingprogressive
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is deemingprogressive
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have been deemingperfect progressive
-
has been deemingperfect progressive
Past
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deemedsimple
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had deemedperfect
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was deemingprogressive
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were deemingprogressive
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had been deemingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of deem
First recorded before 900; Middle English demen, Old English dēman; cognate with Gothic dōmjan, Old High German tuomen; see doom
Explanation
To deem is a verb that means to view as or judge. Your parents or boss may deem something necessary that you don't, like coming home by midnight or working late. Deem comes from the Old English word, deman — meaning "act as a judge." If you deem something, you essentially become the judge of whether it has a characteristic. For example, if you deem your little sister's jokes to be too ridiculous to listen to, you will probably just walk away.
Vocabulary lists containing deem
Vocabulary from the Introduction to "Reality is Broken" by Jane McGonigal
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The Emancipation Proclamation (1862)
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Beowulf vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“There is no distinctively Catholic objection to receiving any of the COVID-19 vaccines available,” said Michael Deem, assistant professor of bioethics and human genetics at the University of Pittsburgh.
From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2022
Dr. Sharon Deem, the director of the institute, said they are working to see if the treated turtles are long-term carriers.
From Washington Times • Apr. 27, 2021
It is the culmination of a long investigation started by former standards commissioner Sir Roderick Evans and triggered by a complaint by Neil McEvoy's former office manager Michael Deem in 2017.
From BBC • Jan. 26, 2021
“It’s so you don’t get trapped inside your home,” said 7-year-old Parker Deem.
From Washington Post • Mar. 16, 2020
"Deem is little loved in the streets, I am told."
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
