Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

seem

 - 3 dictionary results

seem

  [seem]
Use seem in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to appear to be, feel, do, etc.: She seems better this morning.
2. to appear to one's own senses, mind, observation, judgment, etc.: It seems to me that someone is calling.
3. to appear to exist: There seems no need to go now.
4. to appear to be true, probable, or evident: It seems likely to rain.
5. to give the outward appearance of being or to pretend to be: He only seems friendly because he wants you to like him.
Origin:
1150–1200; ME seme < ON sœma to befit, beseem, deriv. of sœmr fitting, seemly; akin to sōmi honor

Synonyms:
4. Seem, appear, look refer to an outward aspect that may or may not be contrary to reality. Seem is applied to something that has an aspect of truth and probability: It seems warmer today. Appear suggests the giving of an impression that may be superficial or illusory: The house appears to be deserted. Look more vividly suggests the use of the eye (literally or figuratively) or the aspect as perceived by the eye: She looked very much frightened.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To seem
seem   (sēm)   
intr.v.   seemed, seem·ing, seems

  1. To give the impression of being; appear: The child seems healthy, but the doctor is concerned.

  2. To appear to one's own opinion or mind: I can't seem to get the story straight.

  3. To appear to be true, probable, or evident: It seems you object to the plan. It seems like rain. He seems to have worked in sales for several years.

  4. To appear to exist: There seems no reason to postpone it.


[Middle English semen, from Old Norse sɶma, to conform to, from sɶmr, fitting; see sem-1 in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: These verbs mean to present the appearance of being: seems angry; appears skeptical; looks happy.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

seem 
c.1200, from O.N. soema "to befit, conform to," and soemr "fitting, seemly," from P.Gmc. *som- (cf. O.E. som "agreement, reconciliation," seman "to conciliate"), related to P.Gmc. *samon (see same).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see seem on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way