seem

seem — verb

1. If someone or something seems a particular way, you get that idea from the way t

1.verbintransitiveA2
Definition

If someone or something seems a particular way, you get that idea from the way they look, sound, or behave — even if you are not completely sure it is true.

Example

The children seemed happy when Mizuki told them about the trip.

seem + adjective for describing impression

Eli's new job seems like a good opportunity for his career.

seem + like + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • seem happy
  • seem tired
  • seem like a good idea
  • seem pleased
  • seem as if
Synonyms
  • appear

    more formal than 'seem'; used especially when something is visible

  • look

    based specifically on visual appearance rather than general impression

Antonyms
  • be

    describes reality rather than impression; 'is' states a fact, 'seems' leaves room for doubt

Grammar Patterns

seem + adjective

seem + noun phrase

seem + like

seem + as if / as though

Usage Note

Non-progressive: 'seem' is not normally used in continuous forms. Use the simple present or past instead (❌ 'is seeming' → ✅ 'seems').

Common Mistakes

She is seeming tired today.
She seems tired today.
'seem' is not usually used in the continuous form.
He seems like a nice person, but I do not know him well.
He seems like a nice person.
no structural error here, but learners often use 'seem like' when a simple adjective would be more natural: 'He seems nice.'

2. Used to make a statement about your own feelings, thoughts, or actions less dire

2.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

Used to make a statement about your own feelings, thoughts, or actions less direct or definite — often because you do not want to sound too sure, or because you are embarrassed to admit something.

Example

I seem to have forgotten my wallet at the restaurant.

Liam seems to think the meeting starts at ten o'clock.

seem + to-infinitive for softened statement

Common collocations
  • seem to think
  • seem to have
  • seem to know
  • seem to forget
Synonyms
  • appear to

    more formal, less emotional; 'appear to have forgotten' sounds more detached

  • look like

    informal; 'looks like I forgot' is casual, 'seem to have forgotten' is more natural in neutral speech

Grammar Patterns

seem + to-infinitive

Usage Note

This sense is most natural in the first person (I seem…, We seem…) when talking about oneself. In the third person, it can express tentative certainty: 'Liam seems to think so' suggests the speaker is not fully sure but believes Liam thinks that way.

Common Mistakes

I am seeming to forget your name.
I seem to have forgotten your name.
'seem' cannot take the continuous form even in this softening use.

3. Used to suggest something may be true, especially when you want to be polite or

3.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

Used to suggest something may be true, especially when you want to be polite or avoid sounding too certain or direct about a situation.

Example

It seems that William has already left the office for the day.

it seems + that-clause for polite suggestion

It seemed to Andrew that nobody was listening to his ideas.

Common collocations
  • it seems that
  • it seems as if
  • it seems to me
  • it seems like
Synonyms
  • appears

    more formal; 'it appears that' is common in writing

  • looks like

    informal; 'looks like the shop is closed' is casual spoken English

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

It seems + (that) + clause

Usage Note

Frequently used in the fixed pattern 'it seems (that)…' where 'it' is a dummy subject. The 'that' can be omitted in informal speech: 'It seems nobody is home.' Adding 'to me' makes the opinion feel more personal and modest: 'It seems to me that you are right.'

Common Mistakes

It seems that is raining.
It seems that it is raining.
the that-clause needs a full subject, not a contraction-skipped structure.

4. To have a particular opinion or impression about something after looking at the

4.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

To have a particular opinion or impression about something after looking at the facts or thinking about it — for example, considering someone to be the best person for a job, or believing there is a problem with something.

Example

There seems to be a mistake in the bill from the restaurant.

there seems to be + noun phrase for stating existence

Élise seems to be the best person for the manager position.

Common collocations
  • seem to be
  • there seems to be
  • seem to me
  • seem the best
Synonyms
  • appear to be

    more formal; 'appears to be the best option' sounds more objective

  • come across as

    informal; focuses on the impression someone gives to others

Grammar Patterns

seem + to be + noun/adjective

there seems to be + noun phrase

Usage Note

Followed by 'to be' to express a considered judgment. The pattern 'there seems to be' (with singular) or 'there seem to be' (with plural) is very common for politely stating that something exists or is the case.

Common Mistakes

There seem to be a problem.
There seems to be a problem.
use 'seems' (singular) before a singular noun after 'there'.
The manager-seems to be nice' (written as one word by typo).
The manager seems to be nice.
'seems' is a separate verb, not part of a compound noun.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All three words describe an impression rather than a certain fact. 'Seem' is the most neutral and common — it covers any kind of impression, not just visual ones ('The plan seems risky'). 'Appear' is more formal and often suggests that the impression might be misleading ('The situation appears under control, but we should check'). 'Look' is the most concrete and refers specifically to visual appearance ('You look tired'). In everyday speech, 'seem' and 'look' are interchangeable when describing appearance ('She seems/looks happy'), but only 'seem' works with to-infinitives ('He seems to know the answer' — NOT 'looks to know'). When in doubt, 'seem' is the safest choice for most situations.

seem ↗appear ↗look ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • seem quite
  • seem rather
  • seem almost
  • seem somehow
  • seem perfectly
  • seem only

Phrases

  • as it seems
  • or so it seems
  • it seems (that)
  • there seems to be
  • it seems to me

Prepositions

  • seem to (someone)
  • seem like

Etymology

Old NorseMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Seem' traces back to Old Norse 'sœma' (to honor, to befit), which entered English through Viking influence during the early Middle Ages. In Old English, the related word 'sēman' meant 'to reconcile' or 'to settle.' By the 1200s, the meaning shifted from 'be fitting' to 'appear to be' — the idea being that something that suits a situation gives the impression of being appropriate. The modern sense of uncertainty or politeness ('It seems that…') developed gradually through the 1500s and 1600s.