Seem
/siːm/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo appear to be something or to have a particular quality or characteristic; to give the impression of.
/siːm/
To give the impression of being or doing something.
It seems like it's going to rain.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking at a box. If you see a square box, it *seems* like it's a square. It means it looks that way to you, even though you don't know everything about it.
👶 For kids: To look like something is true or happening.
More Examples
She seems happy today.
The movie seemed very long.
How It's Used
"The problem seems complicated."
"It would seem that the evidence supports this conclusion."
To be regarded or judged to be something by someone or something.
/siːm/
To be regarded as.
It seemed to me that he was lying.
💡 Simply: If someone *seems* to be a good cook because their food is always delicious, you think they *are* a good cook! It's like judging based on evidence.
👶 For kids: To think that something is true or real, based on what you see or hear.
More Examples
The problem seems to be the engine.
This seems to be a difficult situation.
How It's Used
"This document seems to be a legal contract."
"It seems to me that he's not telling the truth."
Idioms & expressions
it would seem
Used to express an opinion or conclusion based on some evidence, often with a degree of uncertainty or indirectness.
"It would seem that the project is behind schedule."
it seems like
Used to indicate an opinion or observation based on available information, often followed by a clause.
"It seems like it's going to rain."
From Old Norse *sœma* 'to be fitting, become' or Old English *sēman* 'to appear', related to the concept of what is fitting or becoming.
The word 'seem' has been used in English since Old English times, often conveying a sense of appearance or impression.
Memory tip
Think of a screen that shows an image – the image is what it seems, even if it's not the whole truth.
Word Origin
"to be fitting, become"