seem

[ seem ]

/ sim /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR seem 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.

Words nearby seem

seekonk, seel, seeland, seelie, seely, seem, seemer, seeming, seemingly, seemly, seen

Origin of seem

1150–1200; Middle English seme < Old Norse sœma to befit, beseem, derivative of sœmr fitting, seemly; akin to sōmi honor

SYNONYMS 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.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR seem ON THESAURUS.COM

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for seem

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

Whatever the reason, and however absurd their beliefs may seem, American evangelicals are deadly serious.
The Evangelical Apocalypse Is All Your Fault|Jay Michaelson|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It did seem to me that some of our best officers were invariably placed in the most unimportant positions and commands.
Adventures and Reminiscences of a Volunteer|George T. Ulmer
The surface is porous; the cells are distant and arranged irregularly, and seem as if composed of sand cemented with mud.
The Sea-beach at Ebb-tide|Augusta Foote Arnold
Her taking of it began to seem to Artois, as it had evidently seemed to Gaspare, a fact of profound significance.
A Spirit in Prison|Robert Hichens
The congregation is very small, consisting almost exclusively of women, who seem to do penance for both sexes in Cuba.
Foot-prints of Travel|Maturin M. Ballou
The color of the feathers does not seem to affect the quality of the flesh or their character for laying.
Domestic Animals|Richard L. Allen

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

verb (used without object)

Content related to seem

Words related to seem

Words nearby seem

Origin of seem

SYNONYMS FOR seem

Examples from the Web for seem

British Dictionary definitions for seem

verb (may take an infinitive)

Derived forms of seem

Word Origin for seem

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