seeming

UK: /ˈsiːmɪŋ/ US: /ˈsimɪŋ/ ,(sē′ming)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

seem•ing /ˈsimɪŋ/   adj. [usually: before a noun]

1. apparent;
   appearing so;
   ostensible:
   Their team had a seeming advantage in that they were confident.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

seem•ing  (sē′ming), adj. 

1. apparent;
   appearing, whether truly or falsely, to be as specified:
   a seeming advantage.

n. 

2. appearance, esp. outward or deceptive appearance.

• 1300–50; Middle English semynge; see seem, -ing², -ing¹

seem′ing•ly, adv. 
seem′ing•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. ostensible, external, superficial.
• 2. semblance, face, pretense.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

seeming / ˈsiːmɪŋ/ adjective

1. (prenominal) apparent but not actual or genuine

noun

1. outward or false appearance

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

seem /sim/   v. [not: be + ~-ing]

1. to appear or pretend to be (such): [~ + adjective]
   He seemed friendly until I mentioned money.
   [~ + noun]
   He seemed a friendly sort.
2. to appear to be, feel, do, etc.:
   [~ + to + verb] Someone seems to have left a mess here.
3. to appear to one's own mind, senses, etc.:
   [~ + adjective] The journey seemed long, but in fact it was only minutes.
4. to appear to be true or probable: [It + ~ + adjective + to + verb]
   It seems likely to rain.
   [It + ~ + adjective + (that) clause]
   It seemed certain (that) there would be war.
   [It + ~ + (that) clause]
   It seems (that) we have a problem.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

seem  (sēm), 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. to appear to be true, probable, or evident:
   It seems likely to rain.
5. to give the outward appearance of being or to pretend to be:
   He only seems friendly because he wants you to like him.

• Old Norse sœma to befit, beseem, derivative of sœmr fitting, seemly; akin to sōmi honor
• Middle English seme 1150–1200

Synonyms

• 4. Seem, appear, look refer to an outward aspect that may or may not be contrary to reality.
  Seem is applied to something that has an aspect of truth and probability:
  It seems warmer today.
  Appear suggests the giving of an impression that may be superficial or illusory:
  The house appears to be deserted.
  Look more vividly suggests the use of the eye (literally or figuratively) or the aspect as perceived by the eye:
  She looked very much frightened.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

seem / siːm/ verb (may take an infinitive)

1. (copula) to appear to the mind or eye; look: this seems nice, the car seems to be running well
2. to give the impression of existing; appear to be: there seems no need for all this nonsense
3. used to diminish the force of a following infinitive to be polite, more noncommittal, etc: I can't seem to get through to you

Etymology: 12th Century: perhaps from Old Norse soma to beseem, from sœmr befitting; related to Old English sēman to reconcile; see sameUSAGE
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