seemingly
Seemingly (adv) means as far as one can tell from appearances; apparently. Example: “The two events are, seemingly, unrelated.”
How to Use Seemingly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishApparently, or as far as appearances suggest — often hinting the truth might be different.
Word Forms
more seemingly comparative, most seemingly superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The two events are, _____, unrelated.
Etymology
Formed from seeming plus the adverb suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for seemingly
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “seemingly” mean?
The word “seemingly” means as far as one can tell from appearances; apparently. In plain terms, apparently, or as far as appearances suggest — often hinting the truth might be different.
How do you pronounce “seemingly”?
“Seemingly” is pronounced SEE-mihng-lee (/ˈsiːmɪŋli/ in IPA).
How do you use “seemingly” in a sentence?
Here is “seemingly” used in a sentence: “The two events are, seemingly, unrelated.”
What is another word for “seemingly”?
Words with a similar meaning to “seemingly” include ostensibly and prima facie.
What part of speech is “seemingly”?
“Seemingly” is an adverb.
Is “seemingly” a common word?
“Seemingly” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between seemingly and apparently?
Both mean that something appears to be the case based on available impressions. They are very close synonyms, though seemingly can slightly stress that appearances may not match reality, while apparently is more neutral.
Does seemingly suggest something might not actually be true?
Often, yes. Seemingly describes how something looks or appears, leaving open the possibility that the reality is different. Saying a task was "seemingly simple" hints that it may have turned out harder than it looked.
What is the difference between seemingly and evidently?
Seemingly means only that something appears a certain way, with room for doubt. Evidently is stronger, suggesting there is clear evidence that something is actually true. The two convey different levels of certainty.