- [countable, uncountable] the way that somebody/something looks on the outside; what somebody/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 general appearance to a spaniel.
- He gave every appearance of (= seemed very much to be) enjoying himself.
- Judging by appearances can be misleading.
- To all appearances (= as far as people could tell), it had been a competely ordinary day.
Extra ExamplesTopics Appearancea2- Shaving off his beard changed his appearance dramatically.
- Inside, the house had the appearance of a temple.
- man-made materials that mimic the appearance of wood
- Towns merged to take on the appearance of a city.
- The report gives an appearance of scientific credibility.
- They tried to maintain the appearance of normality.
- We must avoid any appearance of impropriety.
- In outward appearance the two types of tomato are similar.
- The American president, despite appearances, has only limited power.
- To judge by appearances, Roger was rather embarrassed.
- With his dishevelled appearance he often looks as though he's just fallen out of bed.
- attempts to improve the general appearance of the town centre
- attention to personal appearance and hygiene
- rather bird-like in appearance
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- attractive
- handsome
- youthful
- …
- have
- take on
- create
- …
- in appearance
- contrary to appearances
- despite appearances
- judge (somebody/something) by appearances
- …
- [countable, usually singular] the fact of somebody/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'd better put in an appearance (= go there for a short time).
Extra Examples- It was at this point that their mother made an appearance.
- They were startled by the young man's sudden appearance.
- An awkward silence greeted her appearance in the doorway.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- abrupt
- dramatic
- sudden
- …
- make
- put in
- mark
- …
- [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
Extra Examples- Since its first appearance in the 19th century, cholera has killed millions.
- This marked the appearance of a new genre in American music.
- Gas lighting made its first appearance in 1802.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- abrupt
- dramatic
- sudden
- …
- make
- put in
- mark
- …
- [countable] an act of appearing in public, especially as a performer, politician, etc., or in court
- The Dutch player will make his first appearance for Liverpool this Saturday.
- The show featured a guest appearance from Amy Schumer.
- The singer's first public appearance was at the age of eight.
- She made a cameo appearance in the film.
- the defendant’s appearance in court
- a court appearance
- his appearance before the committee/inquiry
Extra Examples- She was forced to cancel her appearance as keynote speaker at the event.
- her first appearance on the stage
- one of the actor's rare television appearances
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- first
- second
- etc.
- …
- make
- cancel
- fee
- money
- [countable, usually singular] an act of being published or broadcast
- the appearance of claims about the minister’s private life in the press
way something looks/seems
somebody/something arriving
in public
being published/broadcast
Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French aparance, aparence, from late Latin apparentia, from Latin apparere , from ad- ‘towards’ + parere ‘come into view’.
Idioms
See appearance in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee appearance in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishkeep up appearances
- to hide the truth about a bad situation and pretend that everything is going well
- When she lost all her money she was determined to keep up appearances.
Check pronunciation:
appearance