English Reference

Word

appearance

Phoneticsap·pear·ance, stress on the second syllable

US/əˈpɪɹəns/

UK/ɐpˈiəɹəns/

Definitions

01the way something looks

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. the way that someone or something looks on the outside.

n. the outward physical look or aesthetic of a person or object.

“The hotel has a very modern appearance with lots of glass and steel.”

“The architect was concerned that the building's external appearance would clash with the historic character of the surrounding neighbourhood.”

Antonyms

02coming into sight

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. the moment when someone or something arrives or becomes visible.

n. the act of coming into sight or becoming visible to the observer.

“The sudden appearance of a police car made the driver slow down.”

“The unexpected appearance of the sun after a week of rain lifted the spirits of the entire village.”

Synonyms

03public performance

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun Theater

n. an act of performing or being seen in public, like on TV or at a concert.

n. a scheduled instance of being present in a public capacity, such as a performance or a media engagement.

“The singer made a brief appearance on the morning talk show.”

“The author's public appearance at the literary festival was cancelled due to unforeseen travel complications.”

04legal proceeding

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Law Formal

n. the act of going to a court of law for a trial.

n. the formal act of presenting oneself in a court of law as a party to a suit or as a witness.

“The defendant is required to make a court appearance next Tuesday.”

“The lawyer advised his client that a personal appearance in court would be more persuasive than a written statement.”

Synonyms

05outward show vs reality

C1 · Advanced Plural noun Philosophy Academic

n. the way something seems to be, which might be different from how it really is.

n. the outward show or deceptive outward look of something, often contrasted with its true nature or essence.

“Despite his calm appearance, he was actually very nervous about the news.”

“The philosopher argued that we must distinguish between mere appearance and the underlying reality of the physical world.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “appearance” in context.

01. appearance since 02. appearances in all competitions 03. appearances last 04. appearances across seven

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French apparence, from Latin apparentia, from appareo. Morphologically appear + -ance. Doublet of apparence and apparency. Displaced native Old English hīew (“the way something looks or seems”) and ætīewednes (“act of appearing or coming into view”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

ADJECTIVE

Related words

Idioms

Domains

LawMedicinePhilosophy

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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