appearance Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
    visual aspect.
  2. noun the event of coming into sight
  3. noun formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
    appearing; coming into court.
  4. noun a mental representation
    • I tried to describe his appearance to the police
  5. noun the act of appearing in public view
    • the rookie made a brief appearance in the first period
    • it was Bernhardt's last appearance in America
  6. noun pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression
    show.
    • they try to keep up appearances
    • that ceremony is just for show

WordNet

Ap*pear"ance noun
Etymology
F. apparence, L. apparentia, fr. apparere. See Appear.
Definitions
  1. The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me.
  2. A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an apparition; as, an appearance in the sky.
  3. Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect; mien.
    And now am come to see . . . It thy appearance answer loud report. Milton.
  4. Semblance, or apparent likeness; external show. pl. Outward signs, or circumstances, fitted to make a particular impression or to determine the judgment as to the character of a person or a thing, an act or a state; as, appearances are against him.
    There was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire. Num. ix. 15.
    For man looketh on the outward appearance. 1 Sam. xvi. 7.
    Judge not according to the appearance. John. vii. 24.
  5. The act of appearing in a particular place, or in society, a company, or any proceedings; a coming before the public in a particular character; as, a person makes his appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.
    Will he now retire, After appearance, and again prolong Our expectation? Milton.
  6. Probability; likelihood. Obs.
    There is that which hath no appearance. Bacon.
  7. (Law) The coming into court of either of the parties; the being present in court; the coming into court of a party summoned in an action, either by himself or by his attorney, expressed by a formal entry by the proper officer to that effect; the act or proceeding by which a party proceeded against places himself before the court, and submits to its jurisdiction. Burrill. Bouvier. Daniell. Syn. -- Coming; arrival; presence; semblance; pretense; air; look; manner; mien; figure; aspect.

Webster 1913