appearance

[ uh-peer-uhns ]

/ əˈpɪər əns /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR appearance ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

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.

outward show or seeming; semblance: to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.

Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.

appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances: By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.

Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.

Archaic. an apparition.

Idioms for appearance

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.

make an appearance, to come; arrive: He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.

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.

Origin of appearance

1350–1400; appear + -ance; replacing Middle English aparance < Anglo-French, Old French < Late Latin appārentia, neuter plural of Latin appārēns apparent

SYNONYMS FOR appearance

1 arrival, coming, advent.

2 demeanor, presence.

3 face, pretense.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR appearance ON THESAURUS.COM

synonym study for appearance

2. 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.

OTHER WORDS FROM appearance

pre·ap·pear·ance, noun re·ap·pear·ance, noun sub·ap·pear·ance, noun

Words nearby appearance

appeal, appeal play, appealing, appear, appear as, appearance, appearance money, appease, appeasement, appel, appellant

Example sentences from the Web for appearances

He seemed by all appearances perfectly happy to let the Republicans control the state senate.

Mario Cuomo: An OK Governor, but a Far Better Person |Michael Tomasky |January 2, 2015 |DAILY BEAST
He knows he was lucky that way; but also that appearances can be deceptive.

This Fashion World Darling Is Homeless |Erica Wagner |December 2, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Joe Biden was there to ‘kiss the ring,’ while John McCain boasted of a record 101 appearances.

Kissy-Face The Nation: Washington’s Power Elite Smooch Bob Schieffer |Lloyd Grove |November 18, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Conservative columnist Reihan Salam suggested that GOP-backed minimum wage discussions might be feints for appearances only.

To Make Their Victory Durable, the GOP Must Fix the Minimum Wage |Dmitri Mehlhorn |November 6, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

He makes no appearances—no debates, no town halls—and nobody seems to care!

Bill Maher: Yes, I Can Generalize About Muslims |Marlow Stern |October 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Appearances rather favouring the latter opinion, we determined on proceeding through it to the southward.

Narrative of a Journey to the Shores of the Polar Sea, in the years 1819-20-21-22, Volume 2 |John Franklin
She might ignore the letter to all appearances, and yet not be able to forget it.

The Mission of Poubalov |Frederick R. (Frederick Russell) Burton
We can see only the appearances of things, and not things themselves.

A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 6 (of 10) |Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)
By all appearances it might be a mile to bottom instead of two hundred feet.

Dutch Courage and Other Stories |Jack London
They told her you were dead; they told her you were false; appearances were such she had no chance not to be deceived.

Put Yourself in His Place |Charles Reade

British Dictionary definitions for appearances

appearance

/ (əˈpɪərəns) /

noun

the act or an instance of appearing, as to the eye, before the public, etc

the outward or visible aspect of a person or thing her appearance was stunning; it has the appearance of powdered graphite

an outward show; pretence he gave an appearance of working hard

(often plural) one of the outward signs or indications by which a person or thing is assessed first appearances are deceptive

law

the formal attendance in court of a party in an action
formal notice that a party or his legal representative intends to maintain or contest the issueto enter an appearance

philosophy

the outward or phenomenal manifestation of things
the world as revealed by the senses, as opposed to its real natureCompare reality (def. 4)

keep up appearances to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality

put in an appearance or make an appearance to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness

to all appearances to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently

Idioms and Phrases with appearances

appearance

see keep up appearances; put in an appearance.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

appearance

noun

Idioms for appearance

Origin of appearance

SYNONYMS FOR appearance

synonym study for appearance

OTHER WORDS FROM appearance

Words nearby appearance

Example sentences from the Web for appearances

British Dictionary definitions for appearances

noun

Idioms and Phrases with appearances

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

appearance

noun

Idioms for appearance

Origin of appearance

SYNONYMS FOR appearance

synonym study for appearance

OTHER WORDS FROM appearance

Words nearby appearance

Words related to appearances

Example sentences from the Web for appearances

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noun

Idioms and Phrases with appearances

British Dictionary definitions for appearances