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.
The FCC is also reportedly investigating his appearance on “The View.”
From Los Angeles Times
He quickly left Memphis for Chicago after the assassination and arranged various television appearances still wearing a turtleneck allegedly stained with King’s blood.
From Salon
Award-winning Indian novelist Arundhati Roy cancelled a planned appearance at the festival, saying she was "shocked and disgusted" at the jury members' comments.
From Barron's
His illustrious career is set to take in a 100th cap against Ireland - a fitting fixture given it will be his 14th appearance against Farrell's side, his highest tally versus any nation.
From BBC
Saka has scored seven goals in 33 appearances for the Gunners this term.
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.
