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

Making a film about the band any other way seems like a complete waste of time. —Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 1 Jan. 2025

So there’s room for a coach to surprise the Patriots and impress Kraft enough to sway thinking even if that seems unlikely at this juncture. —Chad Graff, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025

And their seeming failure to look at it has become a running joke with my husband. —Philip Galanes, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025

After what seemed like an eternity of floating below the lake’s surface, his uncle’s hand pierced the water, caught him, and pulled him up into the air. —David A. Ross, Artforum, 1 Jan. 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

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