seem

verb

seemed; seeming; seems

intransitive verb

1
: to appear to the observation or understanding
2
: to give the impression of being

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 Bert is a little gray on the chin but doesn't seem to feel it at all! The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 27 Oct. 2024 After Rodón got two quick outs, the Dodgers didn’t seem to have much brewing. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2024 Not only did Randle seem more decisive in these games, but Minnesota head coach Chris Finch constantly put him in position to utilize his strengths. Mikai Bruce, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 No one on the show seems to question the primacy of beauty. Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for seem 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'seem.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of seem was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near seem

Cite this Entry

“Seem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/seem. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

seem

verb
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

More from Merriam-Webster on seem

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