seal meaning, definition, synonyms

Seal is a word with several meanings. It can refer to a marine mammal, something used to close or authenticate a document, or the act of making something airtight or final.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /sihl/

Easy pronunciation: SEEL (approximate spelling).

Stress: One syllable, stressed on the only syllable.

Primary sense here is the verb meaning to close something tightly so that nothing can get in or out.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Seal Meaning

to make something shut tightly

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to close something tightly so that nothing can get in or out

Example: Please seal the container before you put it in the fridge.

Synonyms for this meaning:

close — Works in many everyday contexts, though it is less specific than seal.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Seal

Meaning 2

to attach an official or protective seal

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to affix a seal to something, especially a letter or document

Example: She sealed the letter with red wax.

Meaning 3

to shut or cover something so it is protected

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to close something with a seal or sealing material

Example: The workers sealed the crack in the wall.

Meaning 4

an official mark or impression

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a stamp or mark used to authenticate a document or secure a closure

Example: The document bore the king's seal.

Synonyms for this meaning:

stamp — Can work for this sense, though it is broader and not always interchangeable.

Meaning 5

a sign that something is officially approved or highly regarded

Part of speech: noun

Definition: an indication of approved or superior status

Example: The product carried the seal of approval.

Synonyms for this meaning:

cachet — It can mean prestige or special status, but it is not an exact replacement in every context.
seal of approval — Directly matches this sense in common usage.

Meaning 6

a sea animal with flippers that lives in cold waters

Part of speech: noun

Definition: any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions

Example: We saw several seals on the rocks.

Meaning 7

seal fur or skin

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the pelt or fur of a seal

Example: She wore a coat trimmed with sealskin.

Synonyms for this meaning:

sealskin — Direct term for the fur or skin of a seal.

Meaning 8

a U.S. Navy special forces soldier

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a member of a Naval Special Warfare unit trained for unconventional warfare

Example: He served as a Navy SEAL.

Synonyms for this meaning:

navy seal — The standard term for this military sense.

Meaning 9

to make something final and unchangeable

Part of speech: verb

Definition: to decide something irrevocably or make it final

Example: That decision sealed their fate.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Seal Synonyms

Similar Meaning

official mark or impression

stamp

approval or high status

cachet
seal of approval

the fur or skin of a seal

sealskin

a Navy special forces member

navy seal

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Don't confuse seal the noun meaning the animal with seal the verb meaning to close tightly.
Don't use seal of approval as a synonym for the animal or the verb meanings.
Navy SEAL is a military term, not the same as the marine mammal seal.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common meaning of seal?

The most common everyday meaning is the verb: to close something tightly so it will not leak or open.

Is seal a noun or a verb?

Both. Seal can be a noun, as in the animal or an official mark, and a verb, as in to close something tightly.

What are common synonyms for seal?

Common synonyms depend on the sense. For the verb meaning, close is the closest everyday substitute. For other senses, words like stamp, cachet, sealskin, and Navy SEAL may fit.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-11-01. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.