# appearance

/əˈpɪɹəns/ (US) · /ɐpˈiəɹəns/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. the way something looks

noun · CEFR A2

the way that someone or something looks on the outside.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. coming into sight

noun · CEFR B1

the moment when someone or something arrives or becomes visible.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. public performance

noun · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

### 4. legal proceeding

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

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

For teachers: 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.

### 5. outward show vs reality

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She cares a lot about her physical appearance.
- The famous author made a surprise appearance at the local bookstore to sign copies of her new novel.
- While the building's outward appearance suggests a historical landmark, the interior has been completely gutted and replaced with modern glass and steel infrastructure.

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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.