[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/seem/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / seem # seem verb (seem, seems, seemed, seeming) «seem» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. To seem means to look or appear to be something, from what you can see or know: «She seems happy». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#m1) 2. «It seems» is used to say what you think is true but are not sure about: «It seems we are lost». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#m2) ### In the lessons In stories, «seem» shows what a character notices without knowing for sure, and things that seem one way can turn out different: a trap the reader should notice. In science, results «seem to show» something until checked. In safety, someone who seems friendly online may not be. Phrases: «seem to», «it seems that», «seem like». ### Examples - You seem tired today. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x1) - The dog seems friendly, but ask the owner first. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x2) - It seems like it will rain. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x3) - The puzzle seemed hard at first. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x4) - Things are not always what they seem. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x5) - He seems to know the answer. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x6) - The test seemed to last forever. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x7) - It seems that we took the wrong path. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x8) - "It's fated I must, it seems! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/#x9) ### Note «Seem» is not used in the -ing form for this meaning: say «You seem sad», not «You are seeming sad». «Seem» is followed by an adjective, «to» + verb, or «like». Do not confuse «seem» with «seam» (a line where cloth is sewn together) — they sound the same. ## In Jewish tradition Interpretation: Jacob's seven years that "seemed but a few days" are read as a sign of how deeply he loved Rachel. In the primary lessons: In stories, «seem» shows what a character notices without knowing for sure, and things that seem one way can turn out different: a trap the reader should notice. In science, results «seem to show» something until checked. In safety, someone who seems friendly online may not be. Phrases: «seem to», «it seems that», «seem like». ### Examples - And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the love he had to her. (Torah GEN.29.20, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/#x1) - My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a mocker; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.' (Torah GEN.27.12, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/#x2) - And Lot went out, and spoke unto his sons-in-law, who married his daughters, and said: 'Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy the city.' But he seemed unto his sons-in-law as one that jested. (Torah GEN.19.14, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/#x3) - It seemed as when men wield upwards axes in a thicket of trees. (Writings PSA.74.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/#x4) - This also have I seen as wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: (Writings ECC.9.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/#x5) - It hath seemed good unto me to declare the signs and wonders that God Most High hath wrought toward me. (Writings DAN.3.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/#x6) ### Note «Seem» is not used in the -ing form for this meaning: say «You seem sad», not «You are seeming sad». «Seem» is followed by an adjective, «to» + verb, or «like». Do not confuse «seem» with «seam» (a line where cloth is sewn together) — they sound the same. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «seem» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seem/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«seem» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/seem.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «seem» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seem/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«seem» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/seem.html) on Mova free.