Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

appearance

[ uh-peer-uhns ]

noun

  1. the act or fact of appearing, as to the eye or mind or before the public:

    the unannounced appearance of dinner guests; the last appearance of Caruso in Aïda; her first appearance at a stockholders' meeting.

    Synonyms: , ,

  2. the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object appears; outward look or aspect:

    a table of antique appearance; a man of noble appearance.

    Synonyms: ,

  3. outward show or seeming; semblance:

    to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.

    Synonyms: ,

  4. Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
  5. appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances:

    By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.

  6. Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
  7. Archaic. an apparition.


appearance

/ əˈɪəəԲ /

noun

  1. the act or an instance of appearing, as to the eye, before the public, etc
  2. the outward or visible aspect of a person or thing

    it has the appearance of powdered graphite

    her appearance was stunning

  3. an outward show; pretence

    he gave an appearance of working hard

  4. often plural one of the outward signs or indications by which a person or thing is assessed

    first appearances are deceptive

  5. law
    1. the formal attendance in court of a party in an action
    2. formal notice that a party or his legal representative intends to maintain or contest the issue

      to enter an appearance

  6. philosophy
    1. the outward or phenomenal manifestation of things
    2. the world as revealed by the senses, as opposed to its real nature Compare reality
  7. keep up appearances
    to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality
  8. put in an appearance or make an appearance
    to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness
  9. to all appearances
    to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

Other Word Forms

  • a·𲹰aԳ noun
  • a·𲹰aԳ noun
  • ܲa·𲹰aԳ noun
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of appearance1

First recorded in 1350–1400; appear + -ance; replacing Middle English aparance, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Late Latin Գپ, neuter plural of Latin ŧԲ apparent
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms
  1. keep up appearances, to maintain a public impression of decorum, prosperity, etc., despite reverses, unfavorable conditions, etc.:

    They tried to keep up appearances after losing all their money.

  2. make an appearance, to come; arrive:

    He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.

  3. put in an appearance, to attend a gathering or meeting, especially for a very short time:

    The author put in an appearance at the cocktail party on her way to dinner.

More idioms and phrases containing appearance

see keep up appearances ; put in an appearance .
Discover More

Synonym Study

Appearance, aspect, guise refer to the way in which something outwardly presents itself to view. Appearance refers to the outward look: the shabby appearance of his car. Aspect refers to the appearance at some particular time or in special circumstances; it often has emotional implications, either ascribed to the object itself or felt by the beholder: In the dusk the forest had a terrifying aspect. Guise suggests a misleading appearance, assumed for an occasion or a purpose: under the guise of friendship.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A special screening of PBS series “Miss Austen” and an appearance by children’s entertainer Blippi are also among the highlights.

From

Hogan was released on $10,000 bond after making her first court appearance on Thursday.

From

Guest appearances on the tour have also thus far been kept under wraps.

From

However, despite appearances, this JSO gathering is going to be very different from what has gone before.

From

The midfielder, who was the first player to reach 100 appearances for United, died in September 2023 at the age of 27.

From

Advertisement

Related Words

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


appearappearance money