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Meaning & use

deem

verb·Academicformal

Last updated

UK/diːm/
US/diːm/

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive

    To judge or consider something to have a particular quality, often as a formal or official decision.

    Grammar: Takes an object plus a complement: deem the plan unwise. The to be form is also common: deemed to be unsafe.

    Patterns

    • deem something adjective
    • deem something to be something
    • be deemed necessary

    The inspectors deemed the bridge unsafe for traffic.

    She was deemed too young to take part.

    The committee deemed it necessary to meet again.

  2. verbtransitivelegal

    To treat something as having happened or as being the case, according to a rule or law.

    Grammar: Often in the passive: the notice is deemed received after three days.

    Patterns

    • be deemed to have done something
    • be deemed received

    The letter is deemed delivered two days after posting.

    Anyone who stays silent is deemed to have agreed.

    The contract is deemed accepted once signed.

Word forms

third person singulardeems
past tensedeemed
past participledeemed
-ing formdeeming

Common combinations

deem it necessary
The board deemed it necessary to cancel the event.
deemed unsuitable
The old building was deemed unsuitable for classes.
deemed appropriate
Use whatever method you deem appropriate.
deemed a success
The trial was deemed a success by everyone involved.
deem someone guilty
No court has deemed him guilty.

Synonyms and how they differ

consider
Consider is the common everyday verb, while deem sounds official and suggests a judgment that carries weight.
judge
Judge suggests forming a careful opinion after thinking, whereas deem can be an automatic or official ruling.
regard
Regard needs as, as in regard someone as a friend, but deem takes the complement directly.
rule
Rule is used when an authority formally decides, and it often appears in courts, while deem can apply to personal or legal judgments.

Word family

deemed adjective
regarded in a stated way
misdeem verb
to judge wrongly (rare)
doom noun
a related old word for judgment or fate

Commonly confused: deem or deign? deem or deem?

deem vs deign

Deign means to lower yourself to do something, while deem means to judge.

deem vs deem

Do not confuse it with 'dim', which is about low light or intelligence.

Practice

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