appearance

Universal Words noun way sth looks / seems 1 [C,U] the way that sb/sth looks on the outside; what sb/sth seems to be: the physical / outward / external appearance of sth * 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) 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). sb / sth arriving 2 [C,usually sing.] the fact of sb/sth 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). 3 [C,usually sing.] the moment at which sth 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 [C] an act of appearing in public, especially as a performer, politician, etc., or in a court of law: The Dutch player will make his first appearance for Liverpool this Saturday. * The singer's first public appearance was at the age of eight. * the defendant's appearance in court * a brief / guest / celebrity appearance being published / broadcast 5 [C,usually sing.] an act of being published or broadcast: the appearance of claims about the minister's private life in the press