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
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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.
American leaders may expect Mr. Putin to respond to these circumstances in what they deem a “rational” way, by acknowledging battlefield realities and looking for ways to cut his losses and save face.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026
Recent polling suggests that, ahead of Tuesday’s primary, incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has what pollsters deem a statistically insignificant lead in her bid for reelection as the city’s top executive.
From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2026
The panel in Nicole's case partially upheld two complaints about her coach, but ultimately did not deem the coach to be a current safeguarding risk.
From BBC • May 21, 2026
Here’s why he ruled against Maddin: Gorsuch looked at that statute that protects workers when they are in conditions they deem dangerous.
From Slate • May 13, 2026
“Just because maybe these women have stayed here in Clover City or have become stay-at-home moms or cashiers doesn’t mean you can deem their entire lives outside of the pageant a waste.”
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
