# apparently

/əˈpɛɹəntɫi/ (US) · /ɐpˈæɹəntli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/apparently
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. based on what I heard

adverb · CEFR B2

used to say that you have heard something is true, but you are not completely certain.

For teachers: used to indicate that information has been acquired through hearsay or reports rather than direct experience.

- Apparently, the new restaurant in town is very expensive, but I haven't been there yet.
- Apparently, the board of directors has already reached a decision, though an official announcement is not expected until later this week.

Usage: Often placed at the beginning of a sentence to qualify the entire statement.

### 2. based on how it looks

adverb · CEFR B2

used to describe something that seems to be true because of how it appears.

For teachers: used to describe a situation as it appears on the surface, which may or may not reflect the underlying reality.

- He was apparently calm during the interview, but his hands were shaking under the table.
- The two companies are apparently competitors, yet they share several key patents and frequently collaborate on research projects.

### 3. obvious or clear

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

in a way that is easy to see or understand.

For teachers: in a clear, manifest, or obvious manner. This sense is less common in modern speech than the hearsay sense.

- The truth of his statement was apparently clear to everyone in the room.
- The structural flaws in the bridge were apparently visible even to the untrained eye, yet the warnings went unheeded for years.

Teaching tip: In modern English, this 'obvious' sense is rare; learners should primarily use 'apparently' to mean 'I heard that...'.

## Examples

- Apparently, the meeting is cancelled because the manager is sick.
- Apparently, the new restaurant in town is excellent, though I haven't had the chance to try it myself yet.
- The company's profits have apparently stabilised after a difficult fiscal year, according to the preliminary reports released by the board this morning.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.