apparently
Americanadverb
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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.
At the time Bondi apparently sought to redirect questioning by a congressional panel charged with overseeing her department’s work toward a discussion of the U.S. equities market, the Dow indeed was riding high.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026
In a typical understatement, he added: “And the ultimate result was apparently accepted by everybody, because people still play them, and they like them. For which, of course, I’m very pleased.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
But apparently Jefferson Griffin didn’t understand that and tried to.
From Slate • Mar. 30, 2026
Alex was a beautiful and beleaguered soul, born worried, born romantic, difficult and hopeful and apparently a shockingly good poker player.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026
Around us our classmates were guessing, and I thought Serina had it when she pointed out that the professor’s shoes were rhinestone-encrusted cowboy boots, but apparently that was on-trend for the seventies.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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.
