seem

[ seem ]

/ sim /

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See synonyms for: seem / seemed / seeming / seems on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)

to appear to be, feel, do, etc.: She seems better this morning.

to appear to one's own senses, mind, observation, judgment, etc.: It seems to me that someone is calling.

to appear to exist: There seems no need to go now.

to appear to be true, probable, or evident: It seems likely to rain.

to give the outward appearance of being or to pretend to be: He only seems friendly because he wants you to like him.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of seem

First recorded before1150–1200; Middle English seme, from Old Norse sœma “to befit, beseem,” derivative of sœmr “fitting, seemly”; akin to sōmi “honor”

synonym study for seem

4. 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.

Words nearby seem

seek out, seel, Seeland, seelie, seely, seem, seemer, seeming, seemingly, seemly, seen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use seem in a sentence

The story of fluoridation reads like a postmodern fable, and the moral is clear: a scientific discovery might seem like a boon.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
Again, the difference can seem subtle and sound more like splitting hairs, but the difference is important.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
To make it work almost everything else about these shows has to seem factual which is why many look like a weird Celebrity Sims.
‘Empire’ Review: Hip-Hop Musical Chairs with an Insane Soap Opera Twist|Judnick Mayard|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Many of those who have become cops in New York seem to have ceased to address such minor offenses over the past few days.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

A recent U.S. study found men get a “daddy bonus” —employers seem to like men who have children and their salaries show it.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She was growing a little stout, but it did not seem to detract an iota from the grace of every step, pose, gesture.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories|Kate Chopin
Accordingly, the question "How far does the note issue under the new system seem likely to prove an elastic one?"
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips
A good many children seem to be like savages in distinguishing those to whom one is bound to speak the truth.
Children's Ways|James Sully
I do not know what I think; all my thoughts seem whirling round as leaves do in brooks in the time of the spring rains.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
They don't seem to think there would be much good gained by begging for special favours through routine channels.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton

British Dictionary definitions for seem

seem

/ (siːm) /

verb (may take an infinitive)

(copula) to appear to the mind or eye; lookthis seems nice; the car seems to be running well

to give the impression of existing; appear to bethere seems no need for all this nonsense

used to diminish the force of a following infinitive to be polite, more noncommittal, etcI can't seem to get through to you

Derived forms of seem

seemer, noun

Word Origin for seem

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

undefined seem

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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

seem

Origin of seem

synonym study for seem

Words nearby seem

Words related to seem

How to use seem in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for seem

Derived forms of seem

Word Origin for seem

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