Appearance: meaning, definitions and examples

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appearance

 

[ əˈpɪərəns ]

Context #1 | Noun

physical aspect

The way that someone or something looks, especially a person's physical appearance.

Synonyms

aspect, look, presence.

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Word Description / Examples
appearance

Commonly used to describe how someone or something looks to others, often focusing on physical details or the initial impression.

  • Her appearance at the party surprised everyone
  • The building's appearance has improved after the renovation
look

Informally used to describe the visual characteristics of someone or something, often focusing on style or fashion.

  • I love her new look
  • This look is very trendy right now
aspect

Refers to a particular part or feature of something, often used in more analytical or detailed discussions.

  • One important aspect of the job is time management
  • You need to consider every aspect of the project before making a decision
presence

Describes the way someone carries themselves or the impression they give in a particular environment, often focusing on charisma or influence.

  • His presence in the room made everyone feel at ease
  • She has a commanding presence

Examples of usage

  • She was tall and elegant in appearance.
  • His appearance at the party surprised everyone.
  • The appearance of the new model caused a lot of excitement.
Context #2 | Noun

public performance

A public performance or display.

Synonyms

display, performance, showing.

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Word Description / Examples
appearance

Used when talking about the act of being present somewhere or how someone looks.

  • Her appearance at the event surprised everyone
  • He made his first appearance on television last night
performance

Used when speaking about the act of performing, often in entertainment or work contexts.

  • The band's live performance was incredible
  • She received an award for her stellar performance in the play
showing

Used when referring to the act of someone or something being presented, often in a public setting.

  • The movie's showing was completely sold out
  • His showing at the competition was very strong
display

Used when referring to the act of showing something for people to look at.

  • The art gallery had a beautiful display of paintings
  • Her display of talent impressed the judges

Examples of usage

  • The band made an appearance at the music festival.
  • She made a special appearance on the TV show.
  • The appearance of the actor drew a large crowd.
Context #3 | Noun

pretending to be someone else

The act of pretending to be someone or something else.

Synonyms

disguise, impersonation, pretense.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
appearance

Use when referring to someone's physical look or the way something seems to be.

  • Her appearance at the party was a complete surprise.
  • The appearance of the building is very modern.
impersonation

Use when someone is pretending to be another person, typically for entertainment or fraudulent purposes. Often has a slightly negative connotation.

  • Her impersonation of the celebrity was very funny.
  • He was arrested for impersonation of a police officer.
disguise

Use when referring to the act of changing one's appearance to hide identity, often used in contexts involving deception.

  • He wore a disguise to avoid being recognized.
  • Her disguise was so convincing that no one knew it was her.
pretense

Use when referring to a false display of feelings, attitudes, or intentions. Often used in negative situations.

  • Under the pretense of friendship, he betrayed them.
  • Her kindness was just a pretense to gain their trust.

Examples of usage

  • Her appearance as a famous celebrity was convincing.
  • He made a brief appearance as a detective in the movie.
  • The appearance of the villain was unexpected.

Translations

Translations of the word "appearance" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aparência

🇮🇳 दिखावट

🇩🇪 Erscheinung

🇮🇩 penampilan

🇺🇦 зовнішність

🇵🇱 wygląd

🇯🇵 外見 (がいけん)

🇫🇷 apparence

🇪🇸 apariencia

🇹🇷 görünüm

🇰🇷 외모 (외모)

🇸🇦 مظهر

🇨🇿 vzhled

🇸🇰 vzhľad

🇨🇳 外观 (wàiguān)

🇸🇮 videc

🇮🇸 útlit

🇰🇿 көрініс

🇬🇪 გამოჩენა

🇦🇿 görünüş

🇲🇽 apariencia

Etymology

The word 'appearance' originated from the Old French word 'aparance', which came from the Latin word 'apparentia'. The concept of appearance has been of significant interest to philosophers, psychologists, and artists throughout history, reflecting the importance of visual perception and aesthetics in human experience.

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

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,205, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.