Apedia

Appearance I Made General Gave Enjoying Somebody/Something Sudden

Word appearance
WordType (noun)
Phonetic BrE / əˈpɪərəns / NAmE / əˈpɪrəns /
Example
  • 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.
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Content

appearance

(noun)BrE / əˈpɪərəns / NAmE / əˈpɪrəns /
  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.
    • When she lost all her money, she was determined to keep up appearances (= hide the true situation and pretend that everything was going well).
  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).
  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
  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 singer's first public appearance was at the age of eight.
    • the defendant’s appearance in court
  5. an act of being published or broadcast
    • the appearance of claims about the minister’s private life in the press

    Extra Examples

    • I feel I must put in at least a brief appearance at the party.
    • In outward appearance the two types of tomato are similar.
    • Inside, the house had the appearance of a temple.
    • Shaving off his beard changed his appearance dramatically.
    • She made a cameo appearance in the film.
    • She made a sudden appearance just as we were about to leave.
    • She was forced to cancel her appearance as keynote speaker at the event.
    • Since its first appearance in the 19th century, cholera has killed millions.
    • The American president, despite appearances, has only limited power.
    • The report gives an appearance of scientific credibility.
    • The singer had to cancel her scheduled appearance.
    • They tried to maintain the appearance of normality.
    • This marked the appearance of a new genre in American music.
    • To judge by appearances, Roger was rather embarrassed.
    • Towns merged to take on the appearance of a city.
    • We must avoid any appearance of impropriety.
    • When she lost all her money, she was determined to keep up appearances.
    • With his dishevelled/disheveled 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
    • her first appearance on the stage
    • man-made materials that mimic the appearance of wood
    • one of the actor’s rare television appearances
    • rather bird-like in appearance
    • An awkward silence greeted her appearance in the doorway.
    • Gas lighting made its first appearance in 1802.
    • He gave every appearance of enjoying himself.
    • I suppose I’d better put in an appearance at the party.
    • It was at this point that their mother made an appearance.
    • It was tiring, constantly putting on an outward appearance of happiness.
    • It’s only a decade or so since organic produce first made its appearance in the supermarkets.
    • They were startled by the young man’s sudden appearance.
    • To all appearances he was dead.

    Word Origin

    • late Middle English: from Old French aparance, aparence, from late Latin apparentia, from Latin apparere , from ad- ‘towards’ + parere ‘come into view’.
Copyright This card's content is collected from the following dictionaries: Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

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