seem

American  

[seem] / sim /

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.

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seem British  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• seemer noun

Etymology

Origin of seem

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

Explanation

Seem means "to give a certain impression," usually by physical appearance like your messy hair and wrinkled clothing that made it seem like you just rolled out of bed. The verb seem has several definitions. It can mean "to be apparent, or probable," like the nice person you just met who seems like he'll make a good friend. Seem can also mean "to appear to exist," like when heat shimmering on pavement makes it seem like there is a puddle on the road. The word comes from the Old Norse word soema meaning "to befit, conform to."

Example Sentences

It helps that valuations for several of the stocks in this quartet now seem reasonable.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

These amounts may seem small, but if you stick with it over the course of your career, you’ll end up with a sizable net worth thanks to the power of compound interest.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 28, 2026

The others, with their hot deserts and big-sky plains, seem more obvious: Texas, Arizona and California.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

Viewed from the Oval Office, the war may seem less costly than critics charge, and the likelihood of a favorable outcome may appear significantly greater than a horrified foreign-policy establishment can bring itself to believe.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

‘You seem to need him. I don’t know why. But I thought it might be important.’

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• imply
• look
• show
• sound
• suggest