Appearance Extra Examples General Somebody/Something Made Court Noun

• the physical/outward/external appearance of something
• she had never been greatly concerned about her appearance.
• the dog was similar in general appearance to a spaniel.
• he gave every appearance of (= seemed very much to be) enjoying himself.

appearance

1. the way that somebody/something looks on the outside; what somebody/something seems to be
• the physical/outward/external appearance of something
• She had never been greatly concerned about her appearance.
• The dog was similar in general appearance to a spaniel.
• He gave every appearance of (= seemed very much to be) enjoying himself.
• Judging by appearances can be misleading.
• To all appearances (= as far as people could tell) he was dead.

Extra Examples

• Shaving off his beard changed his appearance dramatically.
• Inside, the house had the appearance of a temple.
• man-made materials that mimic the appearance of wood
• Towns merged to take on the appearance of a city.
• The report gives an appearance of scientific credibility.
• They tried to maintain the appearance of normality.
• We must avoid any appearance of impropriety.
• In outward appearance the two types of tomato are similar.
• The American president, despite appearances, has only limited power.
• To judge by appearances, Roger was rather embarrassed.
• With his dishevelled appearance he often looks as though he's just fallen out of bed.
• attempts to improve the general appearance of the town centre
• attention to personal appearance and hygiene
• rather bird-like in appearance
2. the fact of somebody/something arriving, especially when it is not expected
• The sudden appearance of a security guard caused them to drop the money and run.
• I don't want to go to the party, but I suppose I'd better put in an appearance (= go there for a short time).

Extra Examples

• It was at this point that their mother made an appearance.
• They were startled by the young man's sudden appearance.
• An awkward silence greeted her appearance in the doorway.
3. the moment at which something begins to exist or starts to be seen or used
• the early appearance of daffodils in spring
• the appearance of organic vegetables in the supermarkets

Extra Examples

• Since its first appearance in the 19th century, cholera has killed millions.
• This marked the appearance of a new genre in American music.
• Gas lighting made its first appearance in 1802.
4. an act of appearing in public, especially as a performer, politician, etc., or in court
• The Dutch player will make his first appearance for Liverpool this Saturday.
• The show featured a guest appearance from Amy Schumer.
• The singer's first public appearance was at the age of eight.
• She made a cameo appearance in the film.
• the defendant’s appearance in court
• a court appearance
• his appearance before the committee/inquiry

Extra Examples

• She was forced to cancel her appearance as keynote speaker at the event.
• her first appearance on the stage
• one of the actor's rare television appearances
5. an act of being published or broadcast
• the appearance of claims about the minister’s private life in the press
6. to hide the truth about a bad situation and pretend that everything is going well
• When she lost all her money she was determined to keep up appearances.

Word Origin

• late Middle English: from Old French aparance, aparence, from late Latin apparentia, from Latin apparere , from ad- ‘towards’ + parere ‘come into view’.