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: advent, coming, arrival

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: presence, demeanor

3. outward show or seeming; semblance.

   to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.

   Synonyms: pretense, face

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

/ əˈpɪərəns /

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

   her appearance was stunning

   it has the appearance of powdered graphite

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. to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality

8. to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness

9. to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently

Other Word Forms

• preappearance noun
• reappearance noun
• subappearance noun

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 appārentia, neuter plural of Latin appārēns apparent

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make an appearance, to come; arrive.

   He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.

2. 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.

3. 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.

see keep up appearances; put in an appearance.

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.

Example Sentences

The comments cut from the “Face the Nation” appearance were potentially defamatory.

From Los Angeles Times

Thompson, a speedy outside back and excellent one-on-one defender, has made 29 total appearances for Angel City since joining the club ahead of the 2024 season.

From Los Angeles Times

Jimmy Carter’s appearance became more diminutive during his incumbency, but his teeth became bigger; Ronald Reagan’s face went from smiling to hollowed and ghostly.

From Salon

Perhaps the most familiar images of the duchess are from her appearances at Wimbledon, where she was regularly seen watching the tennis and stepping on to the court to give out prizes.

From BBC

This reddish appearance is the result of a phenomenon called "Rayleigh scattering" which also makes the sky blue and our sunsets red.

From BBC

Related Words

• arrival 
• debut 
• display 
• presence 
• presentation