appearance
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.
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.
outward show or seeming; semblance: to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor.
Law. the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances: By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.
Philosophy. the sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
Archaic. an apparition.
Idioms about appearance
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.
make an appearance, to come; arrive: He didn't make an appearance until after midnight.
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.
Origin of appearance
1synonym study For appearance
Other words for appearance
Other words from appearance
- pre·ap·pear·ance, noun
- re·ap·pear·ance, noun
- sub·ap·pear·ance, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for appearance
/ (əˈpɪərəns) /
the act or an instance of appearing, as to the eye, before the public, etc
the outward or visible aspect of a person or thing: her appearance was stunning; it has the appearance of powdered graphite
an outward show; pretence: he gave an appearance of working hard
(often plural) one of the outward signs or indications by which a person or thing is assessed: first appearances are deceptive
law
the formal attendance in court of a party in an action
formal notice that a party or his legal representative intends to maintain or contest the issue: to enter an appearance
philosophy
the outward or phenomenal manifestation of things
the world as revealed by the senses, as opposed to its real nature: Compare reality (def. 4)
keep up appearances to maintain the public impression of wellbeing or normality
put in an appearance or make an appearance to come or attend briefly, as out of politeness
to all appearances to the extent that can easily be judged; apparently
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with appearance
see keep up appearances; put in an appearance.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Browse