appearance
The way that someone or something looks on the outside, or the act of arriving or becoming visible in a particular place. It often refers to the public impression a person gives, which may or may not reflect their true nature.
Examples
3 of 5She was very concerned about her physical appearance before the job interview.
She was very concerned about her physical appearance before the job interview.
The witness is required to make a formal appearance in court next Tuesday.
The witness is required to make a formal appearance in court next Tuesday.
He finally made an appearance at the party just as we were about to leave.
He finally made an appearance at the party just as we were about to leave.
Antonyms
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'appearance' as the 'entrance' of a 'peer'—it’s how someone shows up and is seen by their equals.
Quick Quiz
Despite her tired ____, she managed to lead the board meeting with incredible focus and authority.
Correct!
The correct answer is: appearance
Examples
She was very concerned about her physical appearance before the job interview.
everydayShe was very concerned about her physical appearance before the job interview.
The witness is required to make a formal appearance in court next Tuesday.
formalThe witness is required to make a formal appearance in court next Tuesday.
He finally made an appearance at the party just as we were about to leave.
informalHe finally made an appearance at the party just as we were about to leave.
The sudden appearance of new data challenged the existing scientific consensus.
academicThe sudden appearance of new data challenged the existing scientific consensus.
Maintaining a professional appearance is crucial for building trust with high-level clients.
businessMaintaining a professional appearance is crucial for building trust with high-level clients.
Antonyms
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
judging by appearances
judging by appearances
by all appearances
by all appearances
put in an appearance
put in an appearance
Often Confused With
An 'aspect' is a specific feature or part of something, while 'appearance' refers to the total outward look or the act of showing up.
Resemblance is the state of looking like someone else, whereas appearance is just how one looks individually.
Usage Notes
At the C1 level, 'appearance' is often used to discuss the philosophy of perception versus reality. It is also the standard term for a legal or professional 'showing up' in a specific venue.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'appearance' when they mean 'performance' or 'behavior.' Also, ensure not to confuse the uncountable sense (general look) with the countable sense (an instance of showing up).
Memory Tip
Think of an 'appearance' as the 'entrance' of a 'peer'—it’s how someone shows up and is seen by their equals.
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'aparance,' stemming from the Latin 'apparere' meaning 'to come into sight.'
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Western idioms like 'don't judge a book by its cover' emphasize that 'appearance' can be deceptive and is less important than character.
Quick Quiz
Despite her tired ____, she managed to lead the board meeting with incredible focus and authority.
Correct!
The correct answer is: appearance
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
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