Seemers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. People who give a false impression of their character, often appearing virtuous or sincere while concealing different intentions
2. Those who put on an outward show of goodness or sincerity that does not match what they truly feel or believe
3. Individuals who pretend to be pious or honest, presenting a deceptive appearance to others around them

Etymology: "Seemers" is the plural of "seemer", a noun formed by adding the suffix "-er" to the verb "seem". The suffix turns a verb into a noun for someone or something that performs the action, so a "seemer" is one who seems, here used for people who put on a show of goodness they do not actually have. The base verb "seem" comes from Middle English "seemen", meaning to be fitting or to appear, and it is the same root that gives "seemly". Most readers will recognise the modern sense of "seem" as "appear to be", and the noun carries that appearance-versus-reality contrast into a judgment on character.