WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
ap•pear•ance /əˈpɪrəns/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- [countable] the act or process of appearing.
- [uncountable] outward look;
looks: a person of noble appearance. - appearances, [plural] outward show, impressions, indications, or circumstances:[countable]By all appearances, they enjoyed themselves.
- Idioms put in an appearance, to attend a gathering for a short time.
ap•pear•ance
(ə pēr′əns),USA pronunciation n.
- the act or fact of appearing, as to the eye or mind or before the public:the unannounced appearance of dinner guests; the last appearance of Caruso inAïda;
her first appearance at a stockholders' meeting. - the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object appears;
outward look or aspect:a table of antique appearance; a man of noble appearance. - outward show or seeming;
semblance:to avoid the appearance of coveting an honor. - [Law.]the coming into court of either party to a suit or action.
- appearances, outward impressions, indications, or circumstances:By all appearances, he enjoyed himself.
- Philosophythe sensory, or phenomenal, aspect of existence to an observer.
- [Archaic.]an apparition.
- keep up appearances, to maintain a public impression of decorum, prosperity, etc., despite reverses, unfavorable conditions, etc.:They tried to keep up appearances after losing all their money.
- make an appearance, to come;
arrive:He didn't make an appearance until after midnight. - put in an appearance, to attend a gathering or meeting, esp. for a very short time:The author put in an appearance at the cocktail party on her way to dinner.
- Late Latin appārentia, neuter plural of Latin appārēns apparent
- Anglo-French, Old French
- 1350–1400; appear + -ance; replacing Middle English aparance
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged arrival, coming, advent.
- 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged demeanor, presence. Appearance, aspect, guise refer to the way in which something outwardly presents itself to view. Appearance refers to the outward look:the shabby appearance of his car.Aspect refers to the appearance at some particular time or in special circumstances; it often has emotional implications, either ascribed to the object itself or felt by the beholder:In the dusk the forest had a terrifying aspect.Guise suggests a misleading appearance, assumed for an occasion or a purpose:under the guise of friendship.
- 3.See corresponding entry in Unabridged face, pretense.