appearance

ap|pear|ance [ ə`pırəns ] noun ***

1. ) count or uncount the way that someone or something looks:

His thinning hair gave him the appearance of a much older man.

Recent initiatives have done a lot to improve the appearance of the district.

The twins are almost identical in appearance.

a ) the way that someone or something looks, when this is different from the way it really is:

He doesn't look well off, but you shouldn't judge by appearances.

give the appearance of (doing) something: He had always given the appearance of agreeing with her ideas.

to/by all appearances (=based on the way a situation seems): She was, to all appearances, enjoying the challenges of the new job.

2. ) uncount the time when something starts to exist or be seen:

The disease is contagious only before the appearance of its initial symptoms.

a ) the fact of someone appearing, especially when you do not expect them:

Julie's sudden appearance in the doorway startled me.

3. ) count an occasion when you are on television or in a play, movie, concert, etc.:

a public appearance

make an appearance: She has made numerous appearances on TV game shows.

4. ) count an occasion when you go to a court of law, committee, or similar institution so that people can ask you questions and make decisions about you:

He has had 14 other court appearances.

keep up appearances

to pretend that everything is good, for example with your marriage or your financial situation, even though you are having problems:

Their marriage was over, but they wanted to keep up appearances for the children's sake.

put in/make an appearance

to go somewhere for a short time, especially because you feel you have an obligation to go there:

I think I ought to put in an appearance at the office before lunch.