appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance
ə-ˈpir-ən(t)s 
1
2
a
: a sense impression or aspect of a thing
The blue of distant hills is only an appearance.
b
: the world of sensible phenomena
3
a
: the act, action, or process of appearing
the first appearance of that word in English
b
law
: the presentation of oneself in court as a party to an action often through the representation of an attorney
4
a
: something that appears : phenomenon
b
: an instance of appearing : occurrence
her first public appearance since winning the award
Synonyms
Examples of appearance in a Sentence
The general appearance of the house is quite good.
The museum restored the painting to its original appearance.
lotions that improve your skin's appearance and texture
You shouldn't judge a man by his appearance.
Have you noticed any changes in her appearance?
He appears to be happy, but appearances can be deceptive.
Their expensive home created a false appearance of success and happiness.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband Christopher Guest made a rare public appearance together in support of Jodie Foster.
—
Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Back at the asylum, Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles make surprise appearances as mad scientists doing experiments on Swift, as Post Malone watches from the side in a scene that feels like something out of Poor Things.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Following its blockbuster role as part of the total solar eclipse in early April, the moon will make another notable appearance in the sky over the next few days.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Their journey to make a repeat appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals — and potentially win it all for the first time in the franchise’s 30-year history — begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena with Game 1 of their best-of-7 series against the in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Miller has not allowed a run in his past six appearances after allowing two in the ninth inning of an already out-of-hand 12-3 loss to Cleveland.
—Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
There’s intentional inclusion of pioneering, living country performers: Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, have multiple appearances.
—Brooklyn White, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Last year’s festival saw appearances from Jon Batiste, Big Freedia, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Anderson Paak as DJ Pee Wee, and Big Gigantic in a jazz set.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
Oh at a Max exclusive screening in Orange County on April 6.
20 of 99
Blending Brands
George Kittle makes a ringside appearance at WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia on April 8 wearing merchandise from a new collaboration between Crocs and Pringles.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2024
Back at the asylum, Ethan Hawke and Josh Charles make surprise appearances as mad scientists doing experiments on Swift, as Post Malone watches from the side in a scene that feels like something out of Poor Things.
—Lauren Huff, EW.com, 20 Apr. 2024
Following its blockbuster role as part of the total solar eclipse in early April, the moon will make another notable appearance in the sky over the next few days.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 20 Apr. 2024
Their journey to make a repeat appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals — and potentially win it all for the first time in the franchise’s 30-year history — begins at 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Amerant Bank Arena with Game 1 of their best-of-7 series against the in-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 20 Apr. 2024
Miller has not allowed a run in his past six appearances after allowing two in the ninth inning of an already out-of-hand 12-3 loss to Cleveland.
—Laurence Miedema, The Mercury News, 19 Apr. 2024
There’s intentional inclusion of pioneering, living country performers: Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Linda Martell, the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, have multiple appearances.
—Brooklyn White, Essence, 9 Apr. 2024
Last year’s festival saw appearances from Jon Batiste, Big Freedia, Thundercat, Herbie Hancock, Anderson Paak as DJ Pee Wee, and Big Gigantic in a jazz set.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 9 Apr. 2024
Oh at a Max exclusive screening in Orange County on April 6.
20 of 99
Blending Brands
George Kittle makes a ringside appearance at WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia on April 8 wearing merchandise from a new collaboration between Crocs and Pringles.
—Alexandra Schonfeld, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'appearance.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near appearance
Cite this Entry
“Appearance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appearance. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance
ə-ˈpir-ən(t)s
1
: the way someone or something looks
the room has a cool appearance
gave every appearance of being healthy
keep up appearances
2
: the act, process, or an instance of appearing
3
: something that appears
Medical Definition
appearance
noun
ap·pear·ance
ə-ˈpir-ən(t)s
1
: the action or process of becoming evident to the senses
the sudden appearance of a rash on the body
2
: the outward or visible aspect of something
a tumor with a spongy appearance
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