/ siːm; NAmE / linking verb
1.
seem (to sb) (to be) sth | seem like sth (not used in the progressive tenses) to give the impression of being or doing sth
SYN appear :
[ v - adj ]
You seem happy.
Do whatever seems best to you.
[ v - n ]
He seems a nice man.
[ v ]
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
'He'll be there, then?' ' So it seems (= people say so) .'
It always seemed as though they would get married.
[ v that ]
It seems that they know what they're doing.
[ v to inf ]
They seem to know what they're doing.
2.
[ v to inf ] used to make what you say about your thoughts, feelings or actions less strong :
I seem to have left my book at home.
I can't seem to (= I've tried, but I can't) get started today.
3.
it seems | it would seem used to suggest that sth is true when you are not certain or when you want to be polite : [ v ( that )]
It would seem that we all agree.
[ v - adj ]
It seems only reasonable to ask students to buy a dictionary.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (also in the sense suit, befit, be appropriate ): from Old Norse sœma to honour, from sœmr fitting.