Apparent Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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apparent

[ษ™หˆpรฆrษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a clear or obvious manner

Easily seen or understood; obvious. Clearly visible or understood; evident.

Synonyms

clear, evident, obvious, visible.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
apparent

When something seems true based on what you see or understand, but it's not confirmed.

  • It's apparent that she is upset about something.
  • The apparent winner of the race is still under investigation.
obvious

When something is very easy to see or understand and cannot be missed.

  • It was obvious that he was nervous.
  • Her disappointment was obvious to everyone.
clear

When something is easy to understand or see, without any confusion.

  • The instructions were clear and easy to follow.
  • It was clear that he was telling the truth.
evident

When something is obvious and can be easily seen or understood, usually used in formal contexts.

  • It was evident that she was lying.
  • The benefits of the new policy are evident.
visible

When something can be seen with the eyes, or more generally, something that is noticeable.

  • The car was barely visible in the fog.
  • Her excitement was visible to everyone in the room.

Examples of usage

  • The reasons for his resignation were apparent.
  • There is an apparent lack of interest in the project among the team members.
Context #2 | Adjective

seeming real or true, but not necessarily so

Appearing to be true, but not necessarily so. Seeming real or true, but not necessarily so.

Synonyms

alleged, ostensible, seeming.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
apparent

When something is clearly visible or understood, without any doubt.

  • It was apparent that she was upset after the meeting.
  • The cause of the accident was apparent from the beginning.
seeming

When something appears to be one way on the surface, but might not be true when looked at more closely. Often implies doubt or misinterpretation.

  • His seeming generosity was a facade.
  • The seeming calm of the village was disrupted by sudden chaos.
ostensible

When something appears to be true but is likely hiding a different or real reason. This term often carries a sense of skepticism.

  • The ostensible reason for his visit was to check on the project, but he actually wanted to see her.
  • Her ostensible cheeriness masked deeper issues.
alleged

When talking about something that is claimed to be true but has not been proven yet. Often used in legal or formal contexts.

  • The alleged thief was taken into custody by the police.
  • She is facing charges for the alleged fraud.

Examples of usage

  • Their apparent wealth was just a facade.
  • The apparent solution to the problem turned out to be ineffective.
Context #3 | Noun

something that appears to be real or true but may not be

Something that appears to be real or true but may not be so. An outward form that is deliberately misleading.

Synonyms

deception, illusion, pretense.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
apparent

Used to describe something that seems to be true based on evidence or observation, but could be false.

  • It became apparent that she was unhappy with the decision.
  • The cause of the failure was not immediately apparent.
illusion

Describes something that looks or seems like something else, often in a misleading or mistaken way.

  • The magician created an amazing illusion that left the audience in awe.
  • She was under the illusion that everything was fine.
deception

Refers to the act of lying or tricking someone, often with a negative or harmful intent.

  • The company's deception led to a major scandal.
  • He was skilled in the art of deception, making it hard to trust him.
pretense

Indicates a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions, typically to deceive someone.

  • He made no pretense of caring about the outcome.
  • Under the pretense of friendship, he manipulated her for his own gain.

Examples of usage

  • The treasure map was an apparent trap set by the pirates.
  • The apparent of unity among the team members was shattered by internal conflicts.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • In psychology, 'apparent' can describe phenomena that are perceptually obvious to observers, such as illusions that seem clear but have hidden complexities.
  • People often misjudge what is apparent due to cognitive biases, leading to misunderstandings based on faulty perceptions.
  • The Dunning-Kruger effect describes how individuals with lower ability at a task may overestimate their competence, leading them to view their proficiency as apparent when it is not.

Literature

  • Literature often plays with the concept of what is apparent versus what is hidden, particularly in mystery novels where clues are sometimes presented in ways that seem obvious.
  • Famous authors, like Shakespeare, used the word to draw attention to themes of truth and deception, making clear the difference between appearance and reality.
  • In poetry, writers may argue that beauty is often apparent to those willing to look, using it as a metaphor for deeper understanding.

Art

  • In visual arts, the apparent qualities of a painting, such as color and composition, can evoke emotions and convey messages even before viewers understand them fully.
  • Artists often play with apparent versus hidden details to engage the observer, creating layers of meaning that invite deeper exploration.
  • Surrealism often blurs the lines between what is apparent and what lies beneath, challenging viewers to question their perceptions.

Pop Culture

  • 'Apparent' frequently pops up in songs and movies to convey clarity in emotions or situations, framing characters' realizations about love or friendship.
  • In popular TV shows, characters often say things are obvious or apparent, using it as a dramatic device to highlight tension or misunderstandings.
  • The ongoing trend of 'apparent reality' in reality shows blurs lines between real-life situations and scripted scenarios, playing on audience perceptions.

Origin of 'apparent'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Latin 'apparere,' which means 'to appear' or 'to become visible.'
  • It first entered the English language in the 15th century, used to describe something that can be seen or understood clearly.
  • The prefix 'ap-' indicates 'to' or 'toward,' while 'parent' relates to bringing forth or revealing.

The word 'apparent' originated from the Latin word 'apparentem' which means 'visible, evident'. It has been used in the English language since the late 14th century. Over time, 'apparent' has evolved to signify something that is clearly visible or understood, as well as something that appears to be real or true but may not necessarily be so.


See also: apparition, appear, appearance, appearances, appearing, disappear, disappearance, disappeared, disappearing, reappear, reappearance.

Word Frequency Rank

This word ranks #1,549, placing it within important intermediate vocabulary. Learning it will significantly improve your ability to express yourself in English.