seem

seem
[[t]si͟ːm[/t]]
♦
seems, seeming, seemed
1) V-LINK: no cont You use seem to say that someone or something gives the impression of having a particular quality, or of happening in the way you describe.

[V adj] We heard a series of explosions. They seemed quite close by...

[V adj] Everyone seems busy except us...

[V n] To everyone who knew them, they seemed an ideal couple...

[V n] ₤50 seems a lot to pay...

[V to-inf] The calming effect seemed to last for about ten minutes...

[V to-inf] The government seems not to be troubled by its inconsistent policies on minority rights...

[V prep] It was a record that seemed beyond reach...

[V -ed] The proposal seems designed to break opposition to the government's economic programme...

[it V that] It seems that the attack this morning was very carefully planned to cause few casualties...

[it V adj that] It seems clear that he has no reasonable alternative...

[it V as if] It seemed as if she'd been gone forever...

[there V to-inf] There seems to be a lot of support in Congress for this move...

[there V n] There seems no possibility that such action can be averted...

This phenomenon is not as outrageous as it seems.

2) V-LINK: no cont (vagueness) You use seem when you are describing your own feelings or thoughts, or describing something that has happened to you, in order to make your statement less forceful.

[V to-inf] I seem to have lost all my self-confidence...

[V to-inf] I seem to remember giving you very precise instructions...

[V to-inf] I seemed to have contracted the stomach problem...

[V to-inf] Excuse me I seem to be a little bit lost.

3) PHRASE: PHR to-inf If you say that you cannot seem or could not seem to do something, you mean that you have tried to do it and were unable to.

No matter how hard I try I cannot seem to catch up on all the bills...

Kim's mother couldn't seem to stop crying.

4) → See also seeming

English dictionary. 2008.

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Synonyms:
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Look at other dictionaries:

  • seem — W1S1 [si:m] v [linking verb, not in progressive] [Date: 1100 1200; : Old Norse; Origin: sœma to be appropriate to , from sœmr appropriate ] 1.) to appear to exist or be true, or to have a particular quality ▪ Ann didn t seem very sure. ▪ It seems …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • seem — [ sim ] verb intransitive never progressive *** 1. ) to appear to be something or appear to have a particular quality: John seems nice. seem (to be) someone/something: Susan seems a very sensible person. seem happy/genuine/relaxed etc. to someone …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • seem´er — seem «seem», intransitive verb. 1. to look like; appear to be: »This apple seemed good but was rotten inside. Does this room seem hot to you? He seemed a very old man. He seemed very strong for his age. 2. to appear to oneself: »I still seem to… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Seem — (s[=e]m), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Seemed} (s[=e]md); p. pr. & vb. n. {Seeming}.] [OE. semen to seem, to become, befit, AS. s[=e]man to satisfy, pacify; akin to Icel. s[ae]ma to honor, to bear with, conform to, s[ae]mr becoming, fit, s[=o]ma to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • seem — /seem/, v.i. 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.… …   Universalium

  • seem — seem, look, appear can mean to be as stated in one s view or judgment, but not necessarily in fact Often they are used interchangeably with apparently no difference in meaning {he seems tired} {the students look eager} {the orchestra appeared… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • seem — [sēm] vi. [ME semen, prob. < ON sœma, to conform to (akin to OE seman, to bring to agreement) < IE base * sem > SAME] 1. a) to appear to be; have the look of being [to seem happy] b) to appear; give the impression: usually followed by an …   English World dictionary

  • Seem — Seem, v. t. To befit; to beseem. [Obs.] Spenser. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • seem — ► VERB 1) give the impression of being. 2) (cannot seem to do) appear to be unable to do, despite having tried. ORIGIN originally also in the sense «be appropriate»: from an Old Norse word meaning fitting …   English terms dictionary

  • seem|ly — «SEEM lee», adjective, li|er, li|est, adverb. –adj. 1. fitting or becoming with respect to good taste; suitable; proper: »Some old people do not consider modern dances seemly. SYNONYM(S) …   Useful english dictionary

  • Seem. — Seem., bei Pflanzennamen Abkürzung für B. Seemann (s. d.) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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