can't seem

verb

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?”

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Meanings

verbcan't seem (third-person singular simple present can't seem, no present participle, simple past couldn't seem, no past participle)

past couldn't seem

  1. no past participleno present participleSeem 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 participleno present participleUsed 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!

Cite this entry
APA

can't seem. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can't%20seem

MLA

“can't seem.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can't%20seem. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “can't seem,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/can't%20seem.

Source: can't seem on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.