- 1[countable, uncountable] the way that someone or something looks on the outside; what someone or something seems to be the physical/outward/external appearance of something She had never been greatly concerned about her appearance. The dog was similar in appearance to a spaniel. He gave every appearance of (= seemed very much to be ) enjoying himself. Judging by appearances can be misleading. By all appearances (= as far as people could tell), he was dead. When she lost all her money, she was determined to keep up appearances (= hide the true situation and pretend that everything was going well). someone or something arriving
- 2[countable, usually singular] the fact of someone or something arriving, especially when it is not expected The sudden appearance of a security guard caused them to drop the money and run. I don't want to go to the party, but I suppose I should make an appearance (= go there for a short time).
- 3[countable, usually singular] the moment at which something begins to exist or starts to be seen or used the early appearance of daffodils in spring the appearance of organic vegetables in the supermarkets in public
- 4[countable] an act of appearing in public, especially as a performer, politician, etc., or in court President Obama makes frequent public appearances. Fans were disappointed that the actress didn't make a personal appearance at the premiere. the defendant's appearance in court being published/broadcast
- 5[countable, usually singular] an act of being published or broadcast the appearance of claims about the minister's private life in the press Topic CollocationsPhysical AppearanceA person may be described as having:eyes
- (bright) blue/green/(dark/light) brown/hazel eyes
- deep-set/sunken/bulging/protruding eyes
- small/beady/sparkling/twinkling/shifty eyes
- piercing/penetrating/steely eyes
- bloodshot/watery/puffy eyes
- bushy/thick/dark/raised/arched eyebrows
- long/dark/thick/curly/false eyelashes/lashes
- a flat/bulbous/pointed/sharp/snub nose
- a straight/a pointy/a Roman/an aquiline nose
- full/thick/thin/pouty lips
- dry/chapped/cracked lips
- flushed/rosy/red/ruddy/pale cheeks
- soft/chubby/sunken cheeks
- white/perfect/crooked/protruding teeth
- a large/high/broad/wide forehead
- a strong/weak/pointed/double chin
- a long/full/bushy/wispy beard
- a full/thin goatee
- a long/thin/bushy/droopy/handlebar/pencil mustache
- pale/fair/olive/dark/tanned skin
- dry/oily/smooth/rough/leathery/wrinkled skin
- a dark/pale/light/sallow/ruddy/olive/swarthy/clear complexion
- deep/fine/small/facial wrinkles
- blonde/blond/fair/(light/dark) brown/(jet-)black/auburn/red/ginger/gray hair
- straight/curly/wavy/frizzy/spiky hair
- thick/thin/fine/bushy/thinning hair
- dyed/bleached/soft/silky/dry/greasy/shiny hair
- long/short/shoulder-length/cropped hair
- a bald/balding/shaved head
- a receding hairline
- a bald patch/spot
- a side/center part
- a long/short/thick/slender/ (disapproving) scrawny neck
- broad/narrow/sloping/rounded/hunched shoulders
- a bare/broad/muscular/small/large chest
- a flat/round/swollen/bulging stomach
- a small/tiny/narrow/slim/slender/28-inch waist
- big/wide/narrow/slim hips
- a straight/bent/arched/broad/hairy back
- thin/slender/muscular arms
- big/large/small/manicured/calloused/gloved hands
- long/short/fat/slender/delicate/bony fingers
- long/muscular/hairy/shapely/ (informal) (often disapproving) skinny/spindly legs
- muscular/chubby/ (informal) (disapproving) flabby thighs/calves
- big/little/small/dainty/wide/narrow/bare feet
- a good/slim/slender/hourglass figure
- be of slim/medium/average/large/athletic/stocky build
way something looks/seems
Check pronunciation: appearance