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

In 2022, however, the financial market seemed to turn upside down. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 14 May 2025

But the parasite’s range seems to be expanding into the mid-Atlantic, according to a new paper published last month in the Journal of Medical Entomology. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025

There are a few tables and a small bar for seating, but the restaurant seems geared heavily toward take-out business. —John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 13 May 2025

Often, that seems to result in making certain UI elements larger and easier to spot. —ArsTechnica, 13 May 2025

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

Rhymes for seem

• beam
• bream
• cream
• creme
• deem
• dream
• gleam
• meme
• ream
• scheme
• scream
• seam

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