seal
seal — noun
1. a large grey sea mammal that has smooth skin, short fur, and flat limbs called f
a large grey sea mammal that has smooth skin, short fur, and flat limbs called flippers that help it swim, and that lives in water but hauls itself up onto beaches or sheets of frozen sea to rest
A seal popped its head above the water near the fishing boat.
Léa watched a seal sunbathing on a rocky beach during her trip.
collocation: a seal sunbathing / a seal on the beach
Zookeepers fed the seal a bucket of fresh fish at noon.
A baby seal lay sleeping on the ice while its mother swam nearby.
concrete scene: baby seal on ice with mother nearby
The grey seal is one of the most common species around the British coast.
- grey seal
- harbour seal
- baby seal
- seal pup
- seal colony
Usage Note
Frequently used with species names: 'grey seal', 'harbour seal', 'elephant seal'. The young are called 'pups'.
Common Mistakes
2. a ring or strip made of rubber, plastic, or metal that fits between two surfaces
a ring or strip made of rubber, plastic, or metal that fits between two surfaces where pipes or openings meet, preventing the movement of liquid or gas from one side to the other
The plumber replaced the rubber seal around the kitchen tap.
collocation: rubber seal
A broken seal on the freezer door caused ice to build up inside.
Kwame checked the seal on the pressure cooker before turning on the heat.
Without a proper seal around the lid, steam would escape from the pot.
grammar pattern: 'without + noun phrase' for condition
- rubber seal
- door seal
- window seal
- replace the seal
- check the seal
Usage Note
Commonly used in the context of plumbing, cooking, and vehicle parts ('door seal', 'window seal'). The material (rubber, silicone, metal) is usually specified.
3. a thin sheet of paper, plastic, or metal fitted across the mouth of a bottle, ja
a thin sheet of paper, plastic, or metal fitted across the mouth of a bottle, jar, or box, designed to be torn or cut away before you can take out what is inside, and serving as evidence that the item has not been used or tampered with
Sahil broke the plastic seal and opened the bottle of mineral water.
collocation: break the seal
The safety seal on the medicine bottle was still intact when it arrived.
collocation: safety seal
Allison checked the seal on the milk carton before putting it in her basket.
If the foil seal underneath the cap is broken, do not buy the product.
conditional structure: 'if...is broken, do not...'
Each jam jar has a wax seal on top to keep the fruit fresh inside.
- break the seal
- safety seal
- foil seal
- wax seal
- tamper-evident seal
- intact seal
Usage Note
Often called 'safety seal' or 'tamper-evident seal'. Found on food containers, medicine bottles, and drink bottles. The seal is designed so that it cannot be removed without leaving visible damage.
Common Mistakes
4. an official design or stamp pressed onto a document, sometimes using wax or ink,
an official design or stamp pressed onto a document, sometimes using wax or ink, to prove that it is authentic, legal, or approved by an authority
The contract had a red wax seal from the mayor's office.
collocation: wax seal
Feng stamped the company seal at the bottom of the agreement page.
Diplomas carry the official seal of the university.
collocation: official seal
The letter bore the presidential seal and was delivered by hand.
Without the notary's seal, the document is not legally binding.
constraint: 'without + seal' to indicate lack of legal validity
- wax seal
- official seal
- company seal
- presidential seal
- notary seal
- under seal
Usage Note
Frequently used with 'wax seal' (a traditional method using melted wax) or 'company seal' (a rubber stamp that imprints a logo or name). The phrase 'under seal' means a document has been formally authenticated.
Common Mistakes
5. a soldier belonging to a specially trained US Navy unit whose members carry out
a soldier belonging to a specially trained US Navy unit whose members carry out dangerous missions across oceans, skies, and battlefields; 'SEAL' is an acronym whose letters stand for operations on the Sea, in the Air, and on Land
Linh's cousin trained for two years to become a Navy SEAL.
collocation: become a Navy SEAL
A Navy SEAL team rescued the hostages during the night.
collocation: Navy SEAL team
Rodrigo read a book about the history of the Navy SEALs.
The Navy SEALs practise underwater missions in freezing conditions.
- Navy SEAL
- SEAL team
- become a SEAL
- SEAL training
- special forces soldier
a general term for an elite soldier, not specific to the US Navy
- commando
a soldier trained for quick, surprise attacks; more general than Navy SEAL
Usage Note
Always capitalised as 'Navy SEAL' or 'SEAL'. Refers to a specific US military unit (Naval Special Warfare Development Group). In other countries, similar units have different names.
Common Mistakes
seal off
phrasal verbto prevent people from entering an area, usually by putting up barriers or locking doors
Police sealed off the street after a gas leak was reported.
Firefighters sealed off the building while they checked for damage.
seal of approval
idioma statement or sign that shows official acceptance or that something is of good quality
The project received the seal of approval from the city council.
My grandmother gave her seal of approval to the wedding dress I chose.
signed and sealed
idiomcompletely final and official, because all the necessary documents have been signed and marked with a seal
The deal is signed and sealed, so we can start building next month.
Once the contract is signed and sealed, there is no going back.
my lips are sealed
idiomused to promise that you will not tell anyone a secret
Do not worry about your secret — my lips are sealed.
Mira promised to keep the news quiet and said, 'My lips are sealed.'
seal someone's fate
idiomto make a particular outcome certain, usually a negative or unavoidable one
The missing evidence sealed the defendant's fate.
His careless mistake sealed the team's fate in the championship match.
seal — verb
1. to close an opening, container, or entrance so firmly that nothing — not even ai
to close an opening, container, or entrance so firmly that nothing — not even air or liquid — can pass through it
Kwame sealed the plastic box with tape to keep the cake fresh.
pattern: seal + object + with + material
Firefighters sealed the building after a dangerous gas leak was found.
Mira sealed the bag of rice with a rubber band to keep bugs away.
The workers sealed the tunnel entrance with concrete blocks.
passive alternative: 'The tunnel entrance was sealed...'
Make sure you seal the jar tightly or the jam will go bad quickly.
pattern: seal + noun + adverb (tightly)
- seal tightly
- seal shut
- seal with tape
- sealed container
- sealed envelope
Grammar Patterns
seal + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
seal + noun phrase + shut
Usage Note
Commonly paired with 'tightly', 'shut', or 'with [material]'. The past participle 'sealed' is often used as an adjective: 'a sealed container', 'a sealed envelope'.
Common Mistakes
2. to apply a layer of liquid or coating over a surface so that water, air, or phys
to apply a layer of liquid or coating over a surface so that water, air, or physical damage cannot reach it
Otis sealed the wooden deck with a coat of waterproof paint.
pattern: seal + surface + with + substance
Aylin sealed her pottery pieces with a clear glaze before baking them.
The carpenter sealed the tabletop to protect it from water damage.
purpose clause: 'to protect...' after sealed
You should seal the floor tiles after installing them in the bathroom.
temporal clause: 'after installing'
- seal the wood
- seal with varnish
- seal with glaze
- seal the surface
- seal the floor
Grammar Patterns
seal + noun phrase + with + noun phrase
Usage Note
Common in DIY and craft contexts. The material used is usually a 'sealer', 'varnish', 'glaze', or 'waterproof coating'. Often used in the passive: 'The wood has been sealed.'
Common Mistakes
3. to press together the sticky edges of an envelope or package so that it stays sh
to press together the sticky edges of an envelope or package so that it stays shut and ready for posting
Sade sealed the envelope and dropped it in the mailbox.
pattern: seal + envelope
Feng licked the flap and sealed the parcel with extra tape.
action sequence: lick flap + seal with tape
James sealed the birthday card and wrote the address on the front.
Before posting the documents, please seal the envelope carefully.
Léa sealed the invitation with a sticker shaped like a flower.
pattern: seal + object + with + decorative item
- seal an envelope
- seal a letter
- seal a parcel
- seal with tape
- seal with a sticker
- stick down
informal; pressing an adhesive surface into place, usually on an envelope
- close
more general; does not specify using adhesive edges
Grammar Patterns
seal + noun phrase (envelope, letter, parcel)
Usage Note
This sense is specific to postal items. For containers or packages that need airtight closing, use sense 1 ('seal the bag' / 'seal the box'). The opposite action is 'open' or 'tear open'.
Common Mistakes
4. to complete a deal, decision, or outcome in a way that makes it definite and off
to complete a deal, decision, or outcome in a way that makes it definite and official
The two companies sealed the agreement with a handshake.
collocation: seal the agreement
Her last-minute goal sealed the victory for the home team.
collocation: seal the victory
Sahil and Allison sealed their partnership by signing the contract.
The judge's final decision sealed the fate of the defendant.
collocation: seal someone's fate
A bottle of champagne was opened to seal the success of the project.
- seal a deal
- seal an agreement
- seal the victory
- seal the fate
- seal a partnership
Grammar Patterns
seal + noun phrase (agreement, deal, victory, fate)
Usage Note
Common in business ('seal a deal'), sports ('seal the win'), and legal contexts. The figurative use extends the noun sense 4 (official mark) into a verb action: applying a metaphorical seal to confirm something.
Common Mistakes
seal in
phrasal verbTo keep something inside a container or area so it cannot escape.
The chef used foil to seal in the meat's juices.
A tight lid will seal in the soup's heat for hours.
seal off
phrasal verbTo close an area so that nobody can enter or leave.
Police sealed off the street after the accident.
The building was sealed off for safety checks.
my lips are sealed
idiomYou promise not to tell anyone a secret.
Don't worry, my lips are sealed about your surprise party.
When Mia asked about the gift, I just smiled and said my lips are sealed.
Something is officially completed and cannot be changed.
The contract is signed and sealed, so we can start work.
After the final payment, the deal was signed and sealed.
Word family
- sealedadjectiveB2
- sealernounC1
- sealingnounC1
- unsealverbC1
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/4
All four words describe making something definite, but they differ in tone and scope. 'Seal' (verb sense 4) adds a ceremonial or decisive finality — you seal a deal with a handshake or seal a victory with a goal; it also implies that the thing is now secure and cannot be undone. 'Confirm' is more neutral and factual: you confirm a booking, a time, or a suspicion, without the sense of a grand conclusion. 'Finalize' is procedural and administrative: you finalize a plan, a budget, or a schedule — it suggests checking boxes on a checklist. 'Settle' focuses on resolving remaining doubts or disputes: you settle a disagreement, a debt, or an insurance claim. In business, 'seal a deal' emphasises the dramatic moment of commitment; 'finalize the deal' suggests paperwork is being processed. In sports, 'seal the victory' sounds like a decisive blow; 'confirm the victory' sounds oddly clinical. Choose 'seal' when you want to convey certainty and finality with emotional weight; choose 'confirm' for routine verification; choose 'finalize' for formal procedures; choose 'settle' when the matter involved conflict or uncertainty.
Common collocations
Etymology
The word 'seal' in English actually comes from two different historical roots that happen to look and sound the same today. The noun senses meaning 'stamp' or 'mark' (and all related verb senses about closing and confirming) come from Old French 'seel', which traces back through Latin 'sigillum' (a small mark or figure) to Latin 'signum' (a mark or sign). This is the same root that gives us 'sign', 'signal', and 'signature'. Meanwhile, the animal — the grey, flippered sea mammal — comes from Old English 'seolh', a Germanic word with relatives in Old Norse 'selr' and Dutch 'zeehond' (literally 'sea dog'). The two words have been identical in spelling since Middle English, but they have never been related.