apparent
uh-PA-ruhnt
Apparent (adj) means Clearly visible or understood; obvious. Example: “It was apparent from his expression that something was wrong.”
adj
1
Clearly visible or understood; obvious.
"It was apparent from his expression that something was wrong."
"The damage to the car was immediately apparent."
"It became apparent that nobody had read the instructions."
2
Seeming to be true, though possibly not; as it appears rather than as it truly is.
"Despite the apparent calm, tensions were rising beneath the surface."
"Her apparent confidence hid how nervous she really was."
"The apparent solution turned out to make the problem worse."
How to use apparent
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither clearly obvious, or only seeming to be true on the surface — context tells you which.
Common pairings
for no apparent reason
heir apparent
apparent contradiction
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more apparent
- Superlative
- most apparent
Fill the gap
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It was _____ from his expression that something was wrong.
Etymology
From Latin apparens, "appearing," the present participle of apparere, "to appear."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for apparent
See all rhymes for apparent →Frequently asked questions
What does “apparent” mean?
The word “apparent” means clearly visible or understood; obvious. In plain terms, either clearly obvious, or only seeming to be true on the surface — context tells you which.
How do you pronounce “apparent”?
“Apparent” is pronounced uh-PA-ruhnt (/əˈpæɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “apparent” in a sentence?
Here is “apparent” used in a sentence: “It was apparent from his expression that something was wrong.”
What is another word for “apparent”?
Words with a similar meaning to “apparent” include bare, displayed, exposed and unconcealed.
What is the opposite of “apparent”?
The opposite of “apparent” — its antonyms — are latent, hidden, invisible, ambiguous and obscure.
What part of speech is “apparent”?
“Apparent” is an adjective.
Where does the word “apparent” come from?
The word “apparent” comes from Latin. From Latin apparens, "appearing," the present participle of apparere, "to appear.".
Is “apparent” a common word?
“Apparent” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "apparent" and "obvious"?
Both can describe something easy to see or understand, but "apparent" carries a second meaning that "obvious" lacks — it can suggest something only seems true, as in "his apparent calm." "Obvious" always means genuinely clear, with no hint of doubt.
Does "apparent" mean something is real or only seems real?
It depends on context. In "the damage was apparent," it means clearly visible and real; in "her apparent enthusiasm," it suggests she may only appear enthusiastic. When "apparent" comes directly before a noun, as in "apparent cause," it often hints the appearance may not match reality.
What is the difference between "apparent" and "evident"?
"Evident" means clearly shown and is always genuine, while "apparent" can mean either clearly visible or merely seeming. You would say "it was evident he was tired," but "apparent" would leave more room for doubt.
When should you use "apparently" instead of "apparent"?
"Apparent" is an adjective describing a noun ("an apparent error"), while "apparently" is an adverb used to report something you have heard or that seems to be the case ("apparently, they moved away"). Use "apparently" to signal secondhand information or an impression rather than certainty.
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