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

Just four years ago, Trump’s political career seemed over. —Zac Anderson, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024

The look seems to have inspired Lucy Liu, who sported a similar outfit while promoting her new movie Red One. —Catherine Santino, People.com, 20 Nov. 2024

Everything seems to be formatted and interrupted all the time. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024

These days, the holiday shopping season seems to creep earlier and earlier with the goal of getting consumers to spend more and more, often on tangible, unwanted items — a good portion of which end up in the trash. —Allie Volpe, Vox, 19 Nov. 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