adv
Common
seemingly
SEE-mihng-lee
Seemingly (adv) means As far as one can tell from appearances; apparently. Example: “The shop was seemingly empty, but we heard someone moving about at the back.”
adv
1
As far as one can tell from appearances; apparently.
"The shop was seemingly empty, but we heard someone moving about at the back."
"The two events are, seemingly, unrelated."
"She remained seemingly calm throughout the interview."
How to use seemingly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishApparently, or as far as appearances suggest — often hinting the truth might be different.
Common pairings
seemingly endless
seemingly unaware
seemingly simple
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more seemingly
- Superlative
- most seemingly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The shop was _____ empty, but we heard someone moving about at the back.
Etymology
Formed from seeming plus the adverb suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for seemingly
kingly
tingly
lovingly
amazingly
willingly
mockingly
knowingly
alarmingly
annoyingly
strikingly
shockingly
stunningly
See all 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.
