apparently
Americanadverb
-
as far as can be known or supposed.
I discussed both options with the litigants, and they are apparently agreeable to either one.
-
obviously; clearly.
Apparently, the tornado went right through the center of the town’s eastern district.
adverb
Usage
What does apparently mean? Apparently means seemingly so based on the appearance of things. It’s a way of saying “it seems that” something is the case or is true.Apparently is the adverb form of the adjective apparent, which can mean readily seen, clear, obvious, or according to appearances. Apparently is most often used in this last sense—referring to things that appear a certain way but may not actually be so. In this way, apparently is often used as a sentence modifier, meaning that it modifies or changes the meaning of the entire sentence. It does this by qualifying the rest of the statement, as in We owe $500, apparently. It can also be used as a sentence substitute, meaning it can be used as a one-word response to a question.Example: Apparently, the store is closed, at least according to what Jim told me—I’ll double check.
Etymology
Origin of apparently
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; apparent ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The show was produced for eight full seasons from 2010 to 2018 and was in the midst of an apparently short ninth season spread over two years when it was pulled.
From Los Angeles Times
Chris Hemsworth, taking a break from wielding Thor’s hammer, stars as a meticulous Los Angeles jewel thief with no past and no fixed identity; his real name, or one of them, is apparently James Davis.
He apparently warned Epstein that Ferguson was in the "middle east" where "chances are she is with people who take advantage of her once again".
From BBC
Then they look around the patio and yard area, apparently for something to obstruct the camera, and settle on some greenery that they position in front of the lens.
From Los Angeles Times
I refuse to let them ruin what is apparently the biggest day of the year in South of Somewhere.
From Literature
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.
