seal
seel
Seal (noun) means a marine mammal with flippers that lives partly on land and partly in the sea. Example: “A colony of seals basked on the rocky shore.”
noun
1
A marine mammal with flippers that lives partly on land and partly in the sea.
"A colony of seals basked on the rocky shore."
"The seal slipped off the rock and swam away through the cold water."
"We watched a young seal poke its head above the waves."
2
An official stamp, or the mark it leaves, used to authenticate a document.
"The certificate bore the university's official seal."
"The king pressed his seal into hot wax to close the letter."
"Without the official seal, the form will not be accepted."
verb
1
To close something securely so it cannot be opened without damage, or to prevent leakage.
"She sealed the envelope before posting it."
"Use tape to seal the box so nothing falls out in transit."
"The builder sealed the gaps around the window to stop cold air getting in."
How to use seal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThree main uses: the flippered sea mammal, an official authenticating stamp, or the act of closing something tightly.
Common pairings
seal of approval
seal an envelope
seal a deal
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Word forms
- Plural
- seals
- Third person singular
- seals
- Past tense
- sealed
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A colony of _____ basked on the rocky shore.
Etymology
From Old English seolh (the animal) and, separately, from Old French seel/Latin sigillum (the stamp sense) — two originally distinct words that now share the same spelling.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for seal
See all rhymes for seal →Frequently asked questions
What does “seal” mean?
The word “seal” means a marine mammal with flippers that lives partly on land and partly in the sea. In plain terms, three main uses: the flippered sea mammal, an official authenticating stamp, or the act of closing something tightly.
How do you pronounce “seal”?
“Seal” is pronounced seel (/siːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “seal” in a sentence?
Here is “seal” used in a sentence: “A colony of seals basked on the rocky shore.”
What part of speech is “seal”?
Depending on how it is used, “seal” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “seal” come from?
The word “seal” comes from Latin. From Old English seolh (the animal) and, separately, from Old French seel/Latin sigillum (the stamp sense) — two originally distinct words that now share the same spelling.
Is “seal” a common word?
“Seal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “seal” have?
“Seal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a marine mammal with flippers that lives partly on land and partly in the sea.
What is the difference between a seal and a sea lion?
Both are marine mammals with flippers, but true seals lack visible ear flaps and move on land by wriggling on their bellies, while sea lions have small external ears and can walk on their front flippers. Sea lions are also generally noisier and more agile on land.
What is the difference between a seal and a stamp?
As an official mark, a 'seal' is a device, or the impression it makes, often pressed into wax or embossed to authenticate a document. A 'stamp' is a broader term for any inked or pressed mark; a seal is a formal type of stamp that certifies authority or genuineness.
What is the 'seal of approval'?
The 'seal of approval' is a figurative phrase meaning official endorsement that something meets a required standard. It comes from the literal seal once used to mark a document as approved by an authority.
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