apparently

[ uh-pair-uhnt-lee ]

adverb

1. as far as can be known or supposed:

   I discussed both options with the litigants, and they are apparently agreeable to either one.

2. obviously; clearly:

   Apparently, the tornado went right through the center of the town’s eastern district.

apparently

/ əˈpærəntlɪ; əˈpɛər- /

adverb

1. sentence modifier it appears that; as far as one knows; seemingly

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparently¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English; apparent ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

The position apparently reports to acting head of NOAA Neil Jacobs, although the circumstances of the hire are unknown.

From Ars Technica

In Applehood and Mother Pie, a cookbook curated by the Junior League of Rochester, New York, you’ll find Grandmother’s Old Fashioned Boston Brown Bread, which is apparently a “great way to use up sour milk!”

From Eater

In a Sacramento Bee column, Gil Duran writes that Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez, a Rendon ally, “apparently worked behind the scenes to undermine a key part of Wicks’ story” despite praising Wicks publicly.

From Voice of San Diego

The top-secret Honda skunkworks basically took one of the best Hondas ever devised for street use and made it apparently uncomfortable and less affordable than the bike that already existed.

From Popular-Science

“We apparently have located the sixth council circle and the only one that has not been disturbed,” says anthropological archaeologist Donald Blakeslee of Wichita State University.

From Science News

French officials were already on edge after a series of apparently unconnected attacks, including the stabbing of police officers.

From The Daily Beast

That apparently includes some members of the management of the airport itself and some air traffic controllers.

From The Daily Beast

Plus there is another problem that the viruses pose—the problem that apparently is the culprit this year—they evolve.

From The Daily Beast

Jennie kept his parliamentary vestments for her son, apparently instilling in Winston the sense that he would be a leader.

From The Daily Beast

The phone is apparently the one he took from his girlfriend after shooting her outside Baltimore and heading for New York.

From The Daily Beast

We were now masters of the whole country, and the war was apparently at an end.

From Project Gutenberg

She apparently prefers to paint single figures of women and young girls, but her works include a variety of subjects.

From Project Gutenberg

There lay Bob Rock, covered with blood, and apparently insensible.

From Project Gutenberg

We stood staring after the fugitives in perfect bewilderment, totally unable to explain their apparently causeless panic.

From Project Gutenberg

The hills in sight, however, are very considerably wooded, and wood is apparently the common fuel.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• allegedly
• ostensibly
• possibly
• probably
• supposedly

More About Apparently

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.

Where does apparently come from?

The first records of apparently come from the second half of the 1300s. It comes from the Latin apparens, meaning “appearing.”

Things that we describe as apparently true appear to be true, but we’re not sure if they’re definitely true—that’s why we used the word apparently. A reporter broadcasting live on TV might use the word to qualify a statement based on reports that have not been fully confirmed, as in The suspect has apparently been caught. The word is used in everyday conversation in the same way—to discuss something that was not witnessed firsthand, as in I was out sick today, but apparently the math test was really hard. 

Often, the word is used to qualify an entire statement. In this case, it often comes at the very beginning or end of the sentence (though it can also be placed elsewhere), as in I’m going to be promoted, apparently (indicating that you’ve somehow heard that it will happen but that it’s not official yet). Similarly, it can be used as a one-word answer meaning “it seems that way.” For example, if someone asks if you’re getting promoted, you could say, “Apparently.”

Sometimes, the word is used to express doubt or suspicion, as in That’s apparently what happened, but I’m skeptical. It can also be used to express annoyance, as in We were going to start the meeting on time, but apparently you forgot how to read a clock.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to apparently?

• apparent (adjective)

What are some synonyms for apparently?

• seemingly
• evidently

What are some words that share a root or word element with apparently? 

• appear
• appearance

What are some words that often get used in discussing apparently?

• allegedly
• ostensibly
• supposedly
• possibly
• seem
• probably
• according

How is apparently used in real life?

Apparently is very commonly used and can be found at the beginning, middle, or end or a sentence. Sometimes it expresses doubt or irritation with the situation.

5/ We've linked many of the participants to apparently legitimate FB profiles belonging to Border Patrol agents, including a supervisor based in El Paso, Texas, and an agent in Eagle Pass, Texas. So far, we've been unable to reach the group members who made the postings.

— ProPublica (@propublica) July 1, 2019

There's a rock in Saudi Arabia split by a perfect slit and it's (apparently) totally natural https://t.co/bDLjDb7m1A pic.twitter.com/OHoLM2jaUn

— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) April 21, 2020

sadly, they've apparently lost the master tapes of many of the UK Fraggle Rock episodes… (which were different to the US version)

— Simon Heseltine (@SimonHeseltine) April 22, 2020

 

 

Try using apparently!

Which of the following terms is NOT a synonym of apparently?

A. according to appearances
B. definitely
C. seemingly
D. evidently