What does “seem” mean?
- 1
verbto give the impression of being or doing something
You seem tired today.
- 2
verbused to say something politely or less directly
There seems to be a problem with the printer.
Seem at a glance
- Part of speech
- verb
- CEFR level
- A2 (elementary)
- Pronunciation
- /sim/ · SEEM
How to use “seem” correctly
“Seem” is usually not used in the continuous: say “He seems happy”, not “He is seeming happy”.
Common phrases with “seem”
- seem to be
- it seems that
- seem like
Synonyms, opposites and related words
“seem” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- accept verbA2to take or agree to something that is offered
- compare verbA2to look at two or more things to see how they are alike or different
- decide verbA2to choose something after thinking about it
- expect verbA2to think that something will probably happen
- guess verbA2to give an answer without knowing for sure
- imagine verbA2to form a picture or idea of something in your mind
- notice verbA2to see or become aware of something
- pick verbA2to choose someone or something from a group