Seal vs. Seel — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 12, 2023
The correct spelling is "Seal," referring to a marine mammal or a closure device. "Seel" is an incorrect spelling.
Which is correct: Seal or Seel
How to spell Seal?
Seal
Correct Spelling
Seel
Incorrect Spelling
Difference Between Seal and Seel
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
If it’s about closing something or a marine creature, the "real deal" is "Seal."
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Think of "Sea" in "Seal" to remember it relates to marine animals.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
A "seal" "seals" a jar; both correct usages have an "a."
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
"Seal" is like "real," and "Seel" is not a "real" word.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
"Seal" has an 'a' like "aquatic," reinforcing its marine meaning.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
ADVERTISEMENT
Seal
A mark or symbol of authenticity.
The diploma bore the university's Seal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Seal
Final or conclusive.
That win was the Seal of approval for the team's capabilities.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Seal
A mark to authenticate documents.
His diploma had the university's Seal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Seal
A device or material preventing leakage.
The Seal on the jar was airtight.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Seal
To close or secure tightly.
I had to Seal the envelope before mailing it.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Seal
A device or material that is used to close off or fasten an opening or connection, especially to prevent the escape of a liquid or gas
Used caulk as a seal around the window.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Something, such as a piece of tape, that is placed on a product or package to show that the contents have not been tampered with.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
The water in the trap of a drain that prevents sewer gas from escaping into a room.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A design used to identify a person or thing or to show that something is authentic, accurate, or of good quality
The title page is marked with the publisher's seal. Does the scale have the inspector's seal?.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A die or signet having a raised or incised emblem used to stamp an impression on a receptive substance such as wax or lead.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
The design or emblem itself, belonging exclusively to the user
A monarch's seal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A small disk or wafer of wax, lead, or paper bearing such an imprint and affixed to a document to prove authenticity or to secure it.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
An indication or symbol regarded as guaranteeing or authenticating something
The choral director gave the program his seal of approval.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Any of various aquatic carnivorous mammals of the families Phocidae and Otariidae, found chiefly in cold regions and having a sleek torpedo-shaped body and limbs that are modified into paddlelike flippers.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To prevent (a liquid or gas) from escaping
Charring a piece of meat seals in the juices.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To cover, secure, or fill up (an opening)
Sealed the hole in the pipe with epoxy.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To secure or prevent passage into and out of (an area). Often used with off
The police sealed off the crime scene.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To affix a seal to (something) in order to prove authenticity, accuracy, or quality.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Mormon Church To make (a marriage, for example) eternally binding; solemnize forever.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A pinniped (Pinnipedia), particularly an earless seal (true seal) or eared seal.
The seals in the harbor looked better than they smelled.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
An impression of such stamp on wax, paper or other material used for sealing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A design or insignia usually associated with an organization or an official role.
The front of the podium bore the presidential seal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Something which will be visibly damaged if a covering or container is opened, and which may or may not bear an official design.
The result was declared invalid, as the seal on the meter had been broken.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
(figurative) Confirmation or approval, or an indication of this.
Her clothes always had her mom's seal of approval.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Something designed to prevent liquids or gases from leaking through a joint.
The canister is leaking. I think the main seal needs to be replaced.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A tight closure, secure against leakage.
Close the lid tightly to get a good seal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
(intransitive) To hunt seals.
They're organizing a protest against sealing.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality.
To seal weights and measures
To seal silverware
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
(transitive) To fasten (something) so that it cannot be opened without visible damage.
The cover is sealed. If anyone tries to open it, we'll know about it.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
(transitive) To prevent people or vehicles from crossing (something).
The border has been sealed until the fugitives are found.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
(transitive) To close securely to prevent leakage.
I've sealed the bottle to keep the contents fresh.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
(transitive) To place in a sealed container.
I've sealed the documents in this envelope.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To place a notation of one's next move in a sealed envelope to be opened after an adjournment.
After thinking for half an hour, the champion sealed his move.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
An engraved or inscribed stamp, used for marking an impression in wax or other soft substance, to be attached to a document, or otherwise used by way of authentication or security.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Wax, wafer, or other tenacious substance, set to an instrument, and impressed or stamped with a seal; as, to give a deed under hand and seal.
Till thou canst rail the seal from off my bondThou but offend'st thy lungs to speak so loud.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
That which seals or fastens; esp., the wax or wafer placed on a letter or other closed paper, etc., to fasten it.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
That which confirms, ratifies, or makes stable; that which authenticates; that which secures; assurance.
Like a red seal is the setting sunOn the good and the evil men have done.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
An arrangement for preventing the entrance or return of gas or air into a pipe, by which the open end of the pipe dips beneath the surface of water or other liquid, or a deep bend or sag in the pipe is filled with the liquid; a draintrap.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To set or affix a seal to; hence, to authenticate; to confirm; to ratify; to establish; as, to seal a deed.
And with my hand I seal my true heart's love.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To mark with a stamp, as an evidence of standard exactness, legal size, or merchantable quality; as, to seal weights and measures; to seal silverware.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To fasten with a seal; to attach together with a wafer, wax, or other substance causing adhesion; as, to seal a letter.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Hence, to shut close; to keep close; to make fast; to keep secure or secret.
Seal up your lips, and give no words but "mum".
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To fix, as a piece of iron in a wall, with cement, plaster, or the like.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
To close by means of a seal; as, to seal a drainpipe with water. See 2d Seal, 5.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Among the Mormons, to confirm or set apart as a second or additional wife.
If a man once married desires a second helpmate . . . she is sealed to him under the solemn sanction of the church.
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Fastener consisting of a resinous composition that is plastic when warm; used for sealing documents and parcels and letters
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A member of a Naval Special Warfare unit who is trained for unconventional warfare;
SEAL is an acronym for Sea Air and Land
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
A stamp affixed to a document (as to attest to its authenticity or to seal it);
The warrant bore the sheriff's seal
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
Seal
Any of numerous marine mammals that come on shore to breed; chiefly of cold regions
Tayyaba Rehman
Dec 22, 2018
FAQs
Which vowel is used before Seal?
Any vowel can precede it, depending on the sentence structure.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
What is the verb form of Seal?
The verb form is also "Seal," as in to seal an envelope.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Which preposition is used with Seal?
Prepositions like "of," "with," and "in" can be used with "Seal."
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Which article is used with Seal?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "Seal," depending on context.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Which conjunction is used with Seal?
Any conjunction can be used, depending on the sentence.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Why is it called Seal?
It's called "Seal" either due to its Latin origin "sigillum," referring to a mark, or because of the animal’s aquatic habitat.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Is the Seal term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically, as in "seal of approval."
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Is the word Seal imperative?
It can be used in an imperative sentence, e.g., "Seal the envelope!"
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
How do we divide Seal into syllables?
It is a one-syllable word, so it isn't divided.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Is Seal a negative or positive word?
It is neutral, not inherently negative or positive.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
What is another term for Seal?
"Emblem" or "stamp" for the authenticating mark, "pinniped" for the animal.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Is Seal a noun or adjective?
"Seal" is primarily a noun but can also be used as a verb.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
What is the stressed syllable in Seal?
The entire word is stressed as it is one syllable.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Is Seal an abstract noun?
No, it's a concrete noun when referring to the animal or object.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Is the word “Seal” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can be either, depending on sentence construction.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 12, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
