appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance ə-ˈpir-ən(t)s 
1
a
: external show : semblance
Although hostile, he preserved an appearance of neutrality.
b
: outward aspect : look
had a fierce appearance
c
appearances plural : outward indication
trying to keep up appearances
2
a
: a sense impression or aspect of a thing
The blue of distant hills is only an appearance.
b
: the world of sensible phenomena
3
a
: the act, action, or process of appearing
the first appearance of that word in English
b
law : the presentation of oneself in court as a party to an action often through the representation of an attorney
4
a
: something that appears : phenomenon
b
: an instance of appearing : occurrence
her first public appearance since winning the award
Synonyms
- aspect
- dress
- figure
- garb
- look
- mien
- outside
- presence
- regard [archaic]
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
The general appearance of the house is quite good. The museum restored the painting to its original appearance. lotions that improve your skin's appearance and texture You shouldn't judge a man by his appearance. Have you noticed any changes in her appearance? He appears to be happy, but appearances can be deceptive. Their expensive home created a false appearance of success and happiness. See More
Recent Examples on the Web But several followers also made note of a change in Stuart's appearance. 
Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 His opponent, Republican Senate nominee J.D. Vance, responded to Ryan’s campaign tactic in a radio appearance on Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla. Alexander Hall, Fox News, 2 Sep. 2022 The moon itself doesn’t actually change shape; instead, the position of the sun and moon causes a change in appearance as the moon orbits the earth and has a different amount of sunlight cast upon it. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2022 In a recent appearance on Dread Central's Development Hell podcast, the writer-director confirmed that his flick depicts Pooh and Piglet on a rampage, in part because the two beloved characters entered the public domain in 2022. Clark Collis, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Munster finished as the Class 4A runner-up — in the first state appearance in program history — and Wallace was a key contributor. Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 That would also explain Evie’s major change in appearance. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Aug. 2022 His most memorable moment of the season, though, came in a relief appearance against Georgia State. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 28 Aug. 2022 In an appearance on the athletic department’s podcast, Harbaugh said the competition between McNamara and challenger J.J. McCarthy remains inseparable with a week remaining before the team’s first game. Michael Cohen, Detroit Free Press, 27 Aug. 2022 See More
Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 6 Sep. 2022 His opponent, Republican Senate nominee J.D. Vance, responded to Ryan’s campaign tactic in a radio appearance on Fox Across America with Jimmy Failla. Alexander Hall, Fox News, 2 Sep. 2022 The moon itself doesn’t actually change shape; instead, the position of the sun and moon causes a change in appearance as the moon orbits the earth and has a different amount of sunlight cast upon it. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2022 In a recent appearance on Dread Central's Development Hell podcast, the writer-director confirmed that his flick depicts Pooh and Piglet on a rampage, in part because the two beloved characters entered the public domain in 2022. Clark Collis, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2022 Munster finished as the Class 4A runner-up — in the first state appearance in program history — and Wallace was a key contributor. Dave Melton, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2022 That would also explain Evie’s major change in appearance. Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Aug. 2022 His most memorable moment of the season, though, came in a relief appearance against Georgia State. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 28 Aug. 2022 In an appearance on the athletic department’s podcast, Harbaugh said the competition between McNamara and challenger J.J. McCarthy remains inseparable with a week remaining before the team’s first game. Michael Cohen, Detroit Free Press, 27 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
re-formation (after appear) of Middle English apparence, aparaunce, borrowed from Anglo-French apparaunce, apparence, borrowed from Late Latin appārentia, noun derivative of Latin appārent-, appārens, present participle of appārēre "to be visible, appear"
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing appearance
Kids Definition
appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance ə-ˈpir-əns
1
: the way something looks
The room has a cool appearance.
2
: the act or an instance of appearing
His sudden appearance startled us.
Medical Definition
appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance ə-ˈpir-ən(t)s
1
: the action or process of becoming evident to the senses
the sudden appearance of a rash on the body
2
: the outward or visible aspect of something
a tumor with a spongy appearance
Legal Definition
appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance
1
: the presentation of oneself in court as a party to or as an attorney for a party to a lawsuit
also : a document filed in court by an attorney declaring his or her representation of a party to a lawsuit see also general appearance, special appearance
2
: outward look
a lawyer should avoid the appearance of impropriety
appearances
noun
1
as in looks
the outward form of someone or something especially as indicative of a quality the dignified appearance of this church leader the country club's manicured lawns and well-groomed appearance in general Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- looks
- presences
- figures
- manners
- attitudes
- demeanors
- aspects
- dresses
- regards
- persons
- behaviors
- garbs
- postures
- shapes
- features
- airs
- stances
- miens
- poses
- outsides
- molds
- bearings
- colors
- deportments
- habits
- faces
- casts
- carriages
- comportments
- colorings
- countenances
- complexions
- poises
- visages
- physiognomies
- turns
- habitus
- superficies
2
as in impressions
outward and often deceptive indication can't you at least give the appearance of listening to what I say? Synonyms & Similar Words
- impressions
- effects
- faces
- shows
- names
- guises
- semblances
- seemings
- resemblances
- pretenses
- representations
- displays
- outwards
- images
- demonstrations
- implications
- imitations
- airs
- insinuations
- surfaces
- likenesses
- fictions
- affectations
- suggestions
- simulations
- masks
- masquerades
- disguises
- shapes
- facades
- pretences
- impostures
- hints
- cloaks
- fronts
- exteriors
- poses
- glosses
- make-belief
- shells
- veneers
- make-believe
- façades
- patinae
- Potemkin villages
- patinas
3
as in arrivals
the act of coming upon a scene his appearance at the party caused considerable speculation Synonyms & Similar Words
- arrivals
- advents
- comings
- incomings
- starts
- beginnings
- approaches
- debuts
- entrances
- débuts
- inceptions
- commencements
- geneses
- onsets
- births
- ingresses
- mornings
- dawns
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- departures
- disappearances
- goings
- exits
- partings
- farewells
- passings
- withdrawals
- evaporations
- retirements
- dissipations
- dissolutions
- retreats
- leave-takings
- decampments
- egresses
- evacuations
- exoduses
- emigrations
- fadeaways