seeming
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
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.
Simple“Despite their seeming friendship, the two colleagues actually disliked each other.”
In context“The seeming simplicity of the poem masks a complex structure of metaphors that only becomes clear upon a third reading.”
UsageUsually placed before the noun it modifies.
- 02 C1 Advanced
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.
Simple“He was a man who cared more for seemings than for the truth.”
In context“In the world of high-stakes diplomacy, seemings are often treated with as much gravity as the facts themselves.”
UsageOften used in the plural form 'seemings' in literary contexts.
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
n.a person's opinion or how they understand a situation.
n.an individual's apprehension, judgement, or personal opinion regarding a matter.
Simple“In my seeming, the plan is likely to fail.”
In context“The scholar argued that, in his seeming, the ancient text had been misinterpreted for centuries.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is archaic; modern speakers should use 'opinion' or 'judgement' instead.
By surface analysis, seem + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.