appearance

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Thesaurus

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noun

American English pronunciation: appearance

/əˈpɪrəns/

singular	appearance
plural	appearances

1
[countable/uncountable] the way that someone or something looks
His thinning hair gave him the appearance of a much older man.
Recent initiatives have done a lot to improve the appearance of the district.
The twins are almost identical in appearance.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance
1. a.
  the way that someone or something looks, when this is different from the way it really is
  He doesn’t look well off, but you shouldn’t judge by appearances.
  give the appearance of (doing) something:
  He had always given the appearance of agreeing with her ideas.
  to/by all appearances (=based on the way a situation seems):
  She was, to all appearances, enjoying the challenges of the new job.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance
2
[uncountable] the time when something starts to exist or be seen
The disease is contagious only before the appearance of its initial symptoms.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance
1. a.
  the fact of someone appearing, especially when you do not expect them
  Julie’s sudden appearance in the doorway startled me.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance
3
[countable] an occasion when you are on television or in a play, movie, concert, etc.
a public appearance
make an appearance:
She has made numerous appearances on TV game shows.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance
4
[countable] an occasion when you go to a court of law, committee, or similar institution so that people can ask you questions and make decisions about you
He has had 14 other court appearances.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance

phrases

keep up appearances
to pretend that everything is good, for example with your marriage or your financial situation, even though you are having problems
Their marriage was over, but they wanted to keep up appearances for the children’s sake.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance
put in/make an appearance
to go somewhere for a short time, especially because you feel you have an obligation to go there
I think I ought to put in an appearance at the office before lunch.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of appearance

This is the American English definition of appearance. View British English definition of appearance.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

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