semblance

American  

[sem-bluhns] / ˈsɛm bləns /

noun

1. outward aspect or appearance.

   Synonyms:

   air, mien, exterior, aspect

2. an assumed or unreal appearance; show.

   Synonyms:

   seeming

3. the slightest appearance or trace.

4. a likeness, image, or copy.

5. a spectral appearance; apparition.

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semblance British  

/ ˈsɛmbləns /

noun

1. outward appearance, esp without any inner substance or reality

2. a resemblance or copy

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Etymology

Origin of semblance

1250–1300; Middle English < Middle French, equivalent to sembl ( er ) to seem ( resemble ) + -ance -ance

Example Sentences

The Trojans missed nine of their first 10 shots, unable to find any semblance of a rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times

In the Venezuelan capital, life was slowly returning to a semblance of normalcy on Sunday, albeit on a weekend pace.

From Los Angeles Times

For all their technical acumen, the hum and whir of life remains absent in their work, which merely mimics the semblances of behavior they’ve observed from other films.

From Los Angeles Times

The generals are looking for an off-ramp which will buy them a semblance of legitimacy, and win over some of their many opponents.

From BBC

“There’s an element of knowing we’re not alone in our pain, fear and anxiety that can be a source of some semblance of joy,” Garcia said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pretense
• veneer