appearance
Americannoun
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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.
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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.
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outward show or seeming; semblance.
to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.
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Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
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appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances.
By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.
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Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
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Archaic. an apparition.
idioms
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make an appearance, to come; arrive.
He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.
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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.
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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.
noun
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the act or an instance of appearing, as to the eye, before the public, etc
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the outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
her appearance was stunning
it has the appearance of powdered graphite
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an outward show; pretence
he gave an appearance of working hard
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(often plural) one of the outward signs or indications by which a person or thing is assessed
first appearances are deceptive
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law
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the formal attendance in court of a party in an action
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formal notice that a party or his legal representative intends to maintain or contest the issue
to enter an appearance
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philosophy
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the outward or phenomenal manifestation of things
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the world as revealed by the senses, as opposed to its real nature Compare reality
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to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality
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to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness
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to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently
Related Words
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 Word Forms
- preappearance noun
- reappearance noun
- subappearance noun
Etymology
Origin of appearance
First recorded in 1350–1400; appear + -ance; replacing Middle English aparance, from Anglo-French, Old French, from Late Latin appārentia, neuter plural of Latin appārēns apparent
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.
There’s a distinctly American sadness here, rooted in the culture of appearances and restraint.
She also said she was fed up with the "relentless criticism" about her appearance from online trolls, but has urged others to ensure they use the proper regulated channels for health-related reasons only.
From BBC
On his 50th birthday he writes to his London publisher, insulting his appearance and mocking his miserly advance.
But Johnson's minutes have been limited under Spurs manager Thomas Frank this term, with the Wales international scoring four goals in 22 appearances.
From BBC
Wainwright has made 129 appearances for Dragons since making his debut in October 2017 and has only won 29 matches with 93 defeats and seven draws.
From BBC
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.
