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

Later, while Williams was in prison for a different crime, a man who had shared a cell with him wrote a letter to the district attorney, saying Williams seemed very interested in the DNA testing that had been done in the case. —Gina Barton, USA Today, 2 May 2025

Romero seems to be flirting with a potential move to Spain this summer, which might explain why Spurs tried to sign Guehi earlier this year. —Jay Harris, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Unfortunately, this seems to be the new order in California; officials are already working to prepare for the next fire season. —Ari Daniel, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 May 2025

The incident seemed to be an example of hazing or, if not, some sort of extreme prank, Fitzpatrick said. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 1 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