seem
//ˈsiːm//
Forms
- present (v1)
- seem
- past (v2)
- seemed
- past participle (v3)
- seemed
- present participle
- seeming
- 3rd person singular
- seems
Definitions
1.To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as.
- It seems a pity, but I can't see you this weekend.
- He is so fayre, withoutten les, / he semys full well to sytt on des.
- Their flight is rapid, with quick flutters of the wings, which seem never to be raised to the level of the body.
Frequency
Overall
Very common· #181
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Common
- General reading & writing
- Very common
- Academic
- Uncommon
- Literature
- Common
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English semen (“to seem, befit, be becoming”), from Old Norse sœma (“to conform to, beseem, befit”), from Proto-Germanic *sōmijaną (“to unite, fit”), from Proto-Indo-European *sem- (“one; whole”).