Word
seemingly
Phoneticsseem·ing·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈsimɪŋɫi/
UK/sˈiːmɪŋli/
Sentence adverb
Definitions
01appearing to be true
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. used to say that something seems to be true, though it might not be.
adv. used to indicate that a statement is based on appearances, often implying that the reality may differ from the outward impression.
日本語:一見※
“The task was seemingly impossible, but we finished it in two hours.”
“The company reported a seemingly endless series of profits, yet internal audits later revealed significant structural debts.”
Usage
Usually placed before an adjective or at the beginning of a clause to qualify the entire statement.
Synonyms
02in a polite way
C2 · Proficiency Archaic · Literary
adv. behaving in a way that is polite or socially correct.
adv. in a manner that is appropriate, decorous, or consistent with social propriety.
“The guests behaved seemingly throughout the long and formal dinner.”
“He conducted himself seemingly at the gala, ensuring that no breach of etiquette would tarnish his family's reputation.”
Usage
Rare in modern speech; almost exclusively found in 19th-century literature or formal historical texts.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “seemingly” in context.
Verb
01. seemingly contradict the evidence
“The new findings seemingly contradict the evidence presented during the initial trial.”
adv + verb + noun
02. seemingly ignore the warnings
“The hikers seemingly ignored the warnings about the approaching storm and continued up the mountain.”
adv + verb + noun
Adjective
03. seemingly endless task
“The volunteers were exhausted by the seemingly endless task of sorting through the donations.”
adv + adj + noun
04. seemingly impossible goal
“Against all odds, the team achieved their seemingly impossible goal of winning the championship.”
adv + adj + noun
05. seemingly simple question
“The professor paused for a long time before answering the student's seemingly simple question.”
adv + adj + noun
06. seemingly unrelated events
“The detective began to connect a series of seemingly unrelated events that occurred across the city.”
adv + adj + noun
Real-World Examples
“But have you ever stopped to wonder why these three seemingly different habits have such remarkably similar effects on our brains and bodies?” “For others, though, Argos has not moved with the times and is at odds with the seemingly endless online choice.” “Over the last fortnight, reports of AI models going beyond their expected bounds - be that technically or morally - have been seemingly unavoidable.” “Since then, crime has seemingly become more visible.” Etymology
From Middle English semyngly, equivalent to seeming + -ly.
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/seemingly
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0