seal

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'seal' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the sea animal, or to refer to a stamp on a document indicating that the document has been properly signed and is legally binding. Example sentence: The document was not officially legal until the stamp of the seal was affixed to the document.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Roma goalkeeper Mauro Goicoechea helped to seal Zeman's fate with his spectacular mishandling of a Danilo Avelar cross.

The Guardian - Sport

Juventus had several chances to seal the win, with an effort by Tevez being deflected just past the left upright before a great stop from Weidenfeller denied the Argentinian at point-blank range.

The Guardian - Sport

Some, like the Solomon's seal whose snake-like shoots we found forcing their way through the silt left by winter floods, may well be relicts from gardens of water mills that disappeared long ago.

The Guardian

The death of Gurley, whom Bratton called "a total innocent" at the time, helped seal the indictment of the city's practice of allowing poorly trained officers to police impact zones.

The Guardian

For anyone needing a reminder of his brilliance at this stage of his career it's worth reliving his man-of-the-match display in the 1986 FA Cup final, which Liverpool won 3-1 against Everton to seal the Double.

The Guardian - Sport

Defender Charlie Daniels then scored from the edge of the area to seal the win after 74 minutes.

The Guardian - Sport

Sinn Fein is set to easily hold its position as the top voice in nationalism but as counts continued into a second night the party had yet to seal potential gains, while the smaller Ulster Unionists and SDLP are in a dogfight for final seats.

The Guardian

That was in time trumped by Respublica's DevoManc project, which the Greater Manchester Combined Authority commissioned, and had a contented seal of approval from the most powerful figures in the city region, the Labour leader of Manchester City Council, Sir Richard Leese, and his head of civil service, Sir Howard Bernstein.

The Guardian

The traditional history of the Human League has them discovering a couple of dancers in Crazy Daisy nightclub, recruiting them as singers and soaring to fame and fortune in the 1980s as a consequence, with Don't You Want Me the No 1 hit to seal the deal.

The Guardian - Music

Middlesbrough are fourth in the Championship, two points behind the leaders Bournemouth, and Karanka wants them to win all four of their remaining matches to seal a return to the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

If nothing else, the ice cream has Burgundy's own seal of approval.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seal" in a technical context, ensure the type of "seal" is clear (e.g., a mechanical seal, a legal seal). This avoids ambiguity and enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "seal" without context. Be clear whether you're referring to the animal, a fastener, or an official mark. Add clarifying details to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The word "seal" functions as both a noun, referring to an animal or an official mark, and a verb, meaning to close or secure something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and versatile use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Sport

26%

Lifestyle

18%

Less common in

Film

8%

Travel

6%

Books

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "seal" is a versatile term that functions as both a noun and a verb, frequently appearing in various contexts from news and sports to lifestyle articles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it is used to describe closing something securely or referring to an animal or an official mark. Its meaning and formality vary based on context, making it essential to consider the specific situation when using the word. The most frequent sources are "The Guardian", "The New York Times", and BBC.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

close securely

Focuses on the action of closing something tightly to prevent leakage or opening.

ensure success

Focuses on making certain that a positive outcome is achieved.

secure tightly

Emphasizes the aspect of fastening something strongly and safely.

guarantee victory

Highlights the aspect of ensuring a win or success.

confirm definitively

Stresses the act of making something certain and beyond doubt.

stamp with approval

Highlights the act of giving official endorsement or validation.

affix a stamp

Specifically refers to attaching a stamp as a mark of approval or authenticity.

close off completely

Focuses on the action of closing something in a total manner, leaving no way in or out.

block off access

Emphasizes the act of preventing entry or passage.

close hermetically

Emphasizes an airtight closure, preventing any air or gas from escaping.

FAQs

How can I use "seal" in a sentence?

You can use "seal" as a verb to mean 'to close something securely', as in 'Please "seal the container"'. It can also be a noun, referring to the animal or a stamp, as in 'The document bore the official "official seal"'.

What can I say instead of "seal" (to close)?

Alternatives include "close securely", "fasten tightly", or "secure" depending on the context. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "seal" and "close"?

"Seal" implies a more secure and often airtight closure than "close". You might "close" a door, but you "seal a leak" to prevent fluid escape.

When is it appropriate to use "seal" in formal writing?

It is appropriate when referring to official endorsements, contracts, or secure closures. For example, "The agreement was "seal the deal"" or "The evidence was placed under "court seal"" are suitable in formal contexts.