appearances

appearances — noun

1. the way someone or something looks from the outside, especially the physical qua

1.名詞B2
釋義

the way someone or something looks from the outside, especially the physical qualities that other people notice first about them

例句

Femi's tired appearance after the overnight flight worried his mother.

possessive + appearance: someone's appearance

The hotel had a grand appearance from the street, but the inside needed urgent repairs.

the appearance of [building] from [place]

同義詞
  • look

    more informal and conversational than appearance

  • aspect

    focuses on one particular feature rather than the whole

  • exterior

    refers more literally to the outer surface, especially of buildings

反義詞
  • reality

    the true nature behind the visible appearance

  • interior

    the inside, especially of places

文法句型

someone's appearance

the appearance of something

用法筆記

Often used with adjectives like physical, outward, or external to describe visible condition. The possessive form with an adjective (his neat appearance, her professional appearance) is very common.

常見錯誤

She pays attention to her appear.
She pays attention to her appearance.
💡The noun is appearance, not appear.
The appearances of the building was impressive.
The appearance of the building was impressive.
💡In this sense, the singular form is used for a single person or thing.

2. a way of behaving or presenting yourself that is intended to make people believe

2.名詞B2
釋義

a way of behaving or presenting yourself that is intended to make people believe something about you that is not true, especially so that others will think well of you

例句

Owen kept up appearances by wearing expensive suits even though he was deeply in debt.

fixed phrase: keep up appearances

The company gave the appearance of success while actually losing millions of dollars.

give the appearance of [something]

同義詞
  • semblance

    more formal, suggests a mere outward show that barely hides the reality

  • pretence

    emphasises deliberate deception more strongly

  • facade

    often used metaphorically; suggests a deliberate front that hides something negative

反義詞
  • reality

    the actual situation behind the false show

  • truth

    what is really happening, not what is pretended

文法句型

keep up appearances

the appearance of something

for appearances' sake

常見錯誤

She kept the appearances of being confident.
She kept up the appearance of being confident.
💡For a specific quality, use the singular with 'keep up the appearance of.' The plural 'keep up appearances' (no article) is a fixed phrase about maintaining social respectability.
He did it for appearance
He did it for appearances
💡The fixed phrase is 'for appearances' (plural) or 'for appearances' sake.'

3. an occasion when someone or something arrives somewhere, becomes visible, or tak

3.名詞B2
釋義

an occasion when someone or something arrives somewhere, becomes visible, or takes part in a public event

例句

Dario's surprise appearance at the party made his sister cry with joy.

surprise + appearance: unexpected arrival

The first appearance of cherry blossoms in spring always lifts Lukas's mood.

the first appearance of [something seasonal]

同義詞
  • arrival

    focuses on reaching a place rather than becoming visible

  • emergence

    suggests coming out from hiding or from a hidden state

  • coming

    more general and slightly old-fashioned

反義詞

文法句型

someone's appearance at [place/event]

the appearance of something

用法筆記

Commonly used with the verbs make, mark, and signal. 'Make an appearance' means arriving briefly at an event; 'make one's first/last public appearance' is a fixed expression about a performer or public figure.

常見錯誤

The sun made appearance at 6am.
The sun made an appearance at 6am.
💡The indefinite article 'an' is needed before appearance in this construction.
He took an appearance at the meeting.
He made an appearance at the meeting.
💡The verb is make, not take.

4. the act of going to a court of law because you are officially required to be the

4.名詞C1
釋義

the act of going to a court of law because you are officially required to be there as someone involved in a legal case

例句

Rohan's lawyer requested an early court appearance to present new evidence.

collocation: court appearance

The judge excused the witness from any further appearances in the trial.

formal register: further appearances in the trial

同義詞
  • attendance

    more general; appearance is the specific legal term

  • hearing

    refers to the whole proceeding, not just the act of showing up

文法句型

make a court appearance

appearance at/in court

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively in legal contexts. 'Court appearance' is the standard compound noun. 'Appearance before a judge' is another common pattern. The word can refer to attendance by lawyers on behalf of a client (legal representation).

常見錯誤

He made an appearance at court for his divorce.
He made a court appearance for his divorce.
💡'Court appearance' is the standard compound noun, not 'appearance at court.'
She had an appearance in front of the court.
She made an appearance before the court.
💡The preposition is before (or at/in), not 'in front of.'