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.
Despite fairly good reviews, it apparently didn’t find a big enough audience.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026
The company apparently got ahead of demand for its brand in an effort to cater to investors’ growth mindsets, Moran said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026
But those days have apparently passed, judging by the three-part, three-hour, two-night “Henry David Thoreau.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026
US television host Savannah Guthrie on Wednesday described her family's "agony" in her first television interview since her mother was apparently kidnapped nearly two months ago in a case that has gripped the nation.
From Barron's • Mar. 25, 2026
But apparently, the Afterlife was bent on breaking all the rules tonight.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
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.
