apparent

play

adjective ap·par·ent \ə-ˈper-ənt, -ˈpa-rənt\

Definition of apparent

1 : open to view : visible The changes were readily apparent.
2 : clear or manifest to the understanding for reasons that are apparent
3 : appearing as actual to the eye or mind was in apparent danger
4 : manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid died of an apparent heart attack The air of spontaneity is perhaps more apparent than real. — J. R. Sutherland
5 law : having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate

apparentness

play \-nəs\ noun

See apparent defined for English-language learners

See apparent defined for kids

Examples of apparent in a Sentence

“Reborn” is overwhelmingly a record of an inner landscape, and so there is little sense of the times—no mention of civil-rights demonstrations, no arguments about Cuba. Sontag barely even let her journal know that she was at work on a novel, although the effects of that undertaking are perhaps apparent in the increasingly aphoristic style of her pages. —Darryl Pinckney, New Yorker, 22 & 29 Dec. 2008
He believes that the key to memory, despite its apparent complexities, will eventually prove to be simple: a single molecule. He may be right. —Michael Greenberg, New York Review of Books, 4 Dec. 2008
Since last fall, beekeepers in at least 35 states have reported colonies that shrank rapidly for no apparent reason. Adult bees just go missing, leaving behind young bees in need of tending. —Susan Milius, Science News, 28 July 2007
The Internal Revenue Service last week suggested that between 1 million and 2 million Americans have overseas bank accounts that issued them credit or debit cards-the apparent purpose being to evade U.S. taxes. —Robert J. Samuelson, Newsweek, 8 Apr. 2002
From the beginning, it was apparent that she was not an ordinary child.
He started yelling and throwing things for no apparent reason.
We disagreed on the apparent meaning of the movie.
What was the apparent cause of the accident?

Recent Examples of apparent from the Web

That’s hypothetical, of course — but what isn’t hypothetical is that, in our times, there is no apparent benefit to dwelling on the IQ gap.

— john mcwhorter, National Review, "Stop Obsessing Over Race and IQ", 5 July 2017
Those edges were apparent during spring training, when Frazier’s bushy red hair flouted the Yankees’ longstanding policy prohibiting long hair.

— billy witz, New York Times, "Clint Frazier’s Solid Debut Is Wasted in a Yankees Meltdown", 1 July 2017
Additionally there is an apparent campaign of misinformation claiming the Kotel is being closed to Diaspora Jews and that the status of conversions is being changed.

— aron heller, Jewish Journal, "Ultra-Orthodox lawmaker: Reform Jews don't believe in Temple", 27 June 2017
That was never more apparent than Thursday night, when U of L was eliminated from the College World Series in a 4-3 loss to TCU riddled with controversial calls.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "In season-ending loss, UofL baseball defined by coexistence of success and disappointment", 23 June 2017
At that point, the outlines of the Russian assault on the U.S. election were increasingly apparent.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "This, Right Here. This Is Where Obama Choked.", 23 June 2017
The reality star was quick to explain that her products would have a far greater focus on skin, which is apparent in her first launch: a creamy contour kit.

— sarah wu, Teen Vogue, "Kim Kardashian Shares Her First Makeup Buy at a KKW Beauty Event", 21 June 2017
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the cosmetic surgery arm of the industry, easily its largest subset.

— linni kral, CNT, "The New Face of Medical Tourism", 19 June 2017
What’s not immediately apparent, though, is the meaning behind the numbers 163 and 207, both of which are stitched on the inside of the sock liners.

— avery matera, Bon Appetit, "Momofuku Teams Up With Nike on a Pair of Limited-Edition Sneakers", 15 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apparent'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of apparent

Middle English, from Anglo-French apparant, from Latin apparent-, apparens, present participle of apparēre to appear

NEW!

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of apparent

apparent, illusory, seeming, ostensible mean not actually being what appearance indicates. apparent suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge. the apparent cause of the accident illusory implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view. an illusory sense of security seeming implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else. the seeming simplicity of the story ostensible suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one. the ostensible reason for their visit

synonyms see in addition evident

APPARENT Defined for English Language Learners

apparent

play

adjective

Definition of apparent for English Language Learners

: easy to see or understand
: seeming to be true but possibly not true

APPARENT Defined for Kids

apparent

play

adjective ap·par·ent \ə-ˈper-ənt\

Definition of apparent for Students

1 : clear to the understanding : evident It was apparent that we could not win.
2 : open to view : visible On a clear night many stars are apparent.
3 : appearing to be real or true The apparent theft of my lunch made me angry.

apparently

adverb

Medical Dictionary

apparent

play

adjective ap·par·ent \ə-ˈpar-ənt, -ˈper-\

Medical Definition of apparent

1: clear or manifest to the senses no apparent cause for the condition
2: manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be valid upon deeper investigation the apparent stimulating action of a sedative drug may actually result from its depressant effect—D. W. Maurer & V. H. Vogel

Law Dictionary

apparent

adjective ap·par·ent

Legal Definition of apparent

1 : capable of being easily seen, perceived, or discovered apparent defects apparent ambiguity
2 : having a right to succeed to a title or estate that cannot be defeated
3 : appearing to one's senses and especially one's vision or to one's understanding as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be correct or factual an apparent ability to cause injury the apparent scope of the agent's authority