noun
appearance
uh-PEER-ruhns
noun
1
The way someone or something looks.
"She changed her appearance dramatically after the haircut."
"First appearances can be deceiving."
2
An instance of appearing or showing up somewhere, especially publicly.
"The singer made a surprise appearance at the charity concert."
How to Use Appearance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow something or someone looks, or the act of showing up somewhere.
Common mistake
"Keep up appearances" means acting as if everything is fine to maintain a certain image, even if it isn't.
Common pairings
physical appearance
make an appearance
keep up appearances
Word Forms
appearances plural
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She changed her _____ dramatically after the haircut.
Etymology
From Latin apparentia, from apparere, "to appear."