Word
seeming
Phoneticsseem·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsimɪŋ/
UK/sˈiːmɪŋ/
Definitions
01appearing to be true
B2 · Upper Intermediate Literary
adj. appearing to be real or true, especially when the reality is actually different.
adj. appearing to be a certain way, often used to imply a contrast between outward appearance and underlying reality.
“Despite their seeming friendship, the two colleagues actually disliked each other.”
“The seeming simplicity of the poem masks a complex structure of metaphors that only becomes clear upon a third reading.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
02outward appearance
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary
n. the way something looks on the outside, which might hide the truth.
n. the outward appearance or surface presentation of something, often distinguished from its essence.
“He was a man who cared more for seemings than for the truth.”
“In the world of high-stakes diplomacy, seemings are often treated with as much gravity as the facts themselves.”
Usage
Often used in the plural form 'seemings' in literary contexts.
Synonyms
03opinion or judgement
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. a person's opinion or how they understand a situation.
n. an individual's apprehension, judgement, or personal opinion regarding a matter.
“In my seeming, the plan is likely to fail.”
“The scholar argued that, in his seeming, the ancient text had been misinterpreted for centuries.”
Teaching tip
This sense is archaic; modern speakers should use 'opinion' or 'judgement' instead.
Real-World Examples
“A security guard was also on the scene, with Duckworth seeming to point to an area in the stands behind the Swansea dugout.” “Staff described students as often seeming physically and mentally worn down and checked out.” Etymology
By surface analysis, seem + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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