Meaning

2 senses

  1. (no past participle, no present participle)Seem to be unable; seem not to be able.

    I can't seem to lift the box alone. Would you give me a hand, please?

  2. (no past participle, no present participle)Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see can't, seem.

    You can't seem bored when you're at a job interview. If you are bored, hide it!

Forms

can't seem, can'ting seem, couldn't seem, couldn't seem
Base formcan't seem · to can't seem
3rd person singularcan't seem
Present participlecan'ting seem
Past simplecouldn't seem
Past participlecouldn't seem

irregular · Lesson

Present simpleLesson

all personscan't seem

Past simpleLesson

all personscouldn't seem

Present perfectLesson

I, you, we, theyhave couldn't seem
he, she, ithas couldn't seem

Future simple (will)Lesson

all personswill can't seem

Lessons for this word

2 lessons

See also

neighbours in the dictionary
canA1CanadianB1canalB1
can't seem — meaning, examples, forms, synonyms | Krumeto