seems
English meaning: Seems
Definition
To appear; to look outwardly; to be perceived as.
Example
“He seems to be ill. Her eyes seem blue. It seems like it is going to rain later. How did she seem to you?”
Another example: “It seems that we took a wrong turn somewhere.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Third-person singular of 'seem', a very common, neutral copular verb expressing appearance or impression. Often softens statements ('it seems that...', 'she seems happy'); frequent in everyday and academic hedging.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old Norse 'soema' (to honour, conform to), later 'to befit, appear'; in English from the 12th century.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- it seems that
- seems likely
- seems unlikely
- seems to be
- seems fine
- there seems to be
Word Forms
seem (v); seems; seemed; seeming; seemingly (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
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