seem

verb

ˈsēm 

seemed; seeming; seems

intransitive verb

1

: to appear to the observation or understanding

2

: to give the impression of being

Synonyms

• act
• appear
• come across (as)
• come off (as)
• feel
• look
• make
• sound

Examples of seem in a Sentence

What they're doing doesn't seem right to me.

I tried to cheer them up because they seemed depressed.

Recent Examples on the Web

Advertisement The stars seem aligned now for Nancy Snow Carr, who is reprising the role as Rona Lisa Peretti in Lamb’s Players Theatre’s production of the 2005 William Finn/Rachel Sheinkin musical about a middle school spelling competition. —David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2024

Some of these spiders seem to be able to control how ultraviolet light reflects off their body stripes. —Sarah Claire McDonald, Miami Herald, 7 June 2024

The amendments seem intended to add stakes to the ballot measure and potentially act as a negotiating stick. —Lindsey Holden, Sacramento Bee, 7 June 2024

At first glance, the items listed for sale on Craigslist seemed benign: Blue socks. —Connor Sheets, Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English semen to appear to be, be fitting, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse sœma to honor, sœmr fitting, samr same — more at same

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

seem

verb

ˈsēm 

1

: to give the impression of being : appear

the request seems reasonable

2

a

: to appear to a person's own mind or opinion

can't seem to solve the problem

b

: to appear to be

there seems no reason for worry