apparent

UK: /əˈpærənt/ US: /əˈpærənt, əˈpɛr-/ ,(ə par′ənt, ə pâr′-)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

ap•par•ent /əˈpærənt, əˈpɛr-/   adj. 

1. open to view:
   [be + ~] The crack in the wall was apparent.
   [~ + to] It was apparent to everyone.
2. capable of being easily understood;
   obvious: The solution was apparent.
   [~ + to] It was apparent to us all.
   [It + be + ~ (+ to + object) + (that) clause]
   [be + ~] It was apparent (to everyone) that they had cheated on the test.
3. according to appearances but not necessarily:
   [before a noun] He was the apparent winner.
4. Law entitled by birth to inherit a title or estate:
   [after a noun] the heir apparent.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ap•par•ent  (ə par′ənt, ə pâr′-), adj. 

1. readily seen;
   exposed to sight;
   open to view;
   visible:
   The crack in the wall was readily apparent.
2. capable of being easily perceived or understood;
   plain or clear;
   obvious:
   The solution to the problem was apparent to all.
3. according to appearances, initial evidence, incomplete results, etc.;
   ostensible rather than actual:
   He was the apparent winner of the election.
4. Lawmaking entitled to a right of inheritance by birth, indefeasible except by one's death before that of the ancestor, to an inherited throne, title, or other estate. Cf. heir apparent, heir presumptive.

• Middle French
• Latin appārent- (stem of appārēns appearing; see appear, -ent); replacing Middle English aparant
• 1350–1400

ap•par′ent•ly, adv. 
ap•par′ent•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. discernible.
• 2. open, conspicuous, manifest, unmistakable.
  Apparent, evident, obvious, patent all refer to something easily perceived.
  Apparent applies to that which can readily be seen or perceived:
  an apparent effort.
  Evident applies to that which facts or circumstances make plain:
  His innocence was evident.
  Obvious applies to that which is unquestionable, because of being completely manifest or noticeable:
  an obvious change of method.
  Patent, a more formal word, applies to that which is open to view or understanding by all:
  a patent error.

Antonyms

• 2. concealed, obscure.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

apparent / əˈpærənt əˈpɛər-/ adjective

1. readily seen or understood; evident; obvious
2. (usually prenominal) seeming, as opposed to real: his apparent innocence belied his complicity in the crime
3. as observed but ignoring such factors as the motion of the observer, changes in the environment, etc
   Compare true9

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin appārēns, from appārēre to appear