What is appearance? Pronunciation and usage in English

appearance means . Learn how to pronounce and use appearance through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of appearance

appearancenoun

/əˈpɪərəns/
Definition & pronunciation of appearance

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "appearance." It’s a tricky word for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllable Breakdown:

The word "appearance" is actually two syllables:

  • ap - like the word "app" (as in apple)
  • pear - rhymes with "fear" or "near"

2. Sound Breakdown:

  • “ap”: It’s a relatively short, crisp sound. Think of the "app" sound.
  • “pear”: This is the trickiest part. It's a slightly rounded "er" sound. It's not like the "ear" in "hear." It's a bit like the "air" in "air" but shorter and more forward in your mouth. Your tongue should be slightly raised.

3. Putting it together:

Say it slowly at first: “ap-pear-ance”

4. Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Don't overemphasize the "pear" syllable. It's often the biggest mistake people make. It should be relatively equal in length to "ap."
  • Round your lips slightly when saying the “pear” syllable.
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it:
    • Google: Type "how to pronounce appearance" into Google and listen to the audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/appearance/ - This website has pronunciations from native speakers.

Here's a simplified breakdown in IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet):

/əˈpɪrəns/

  • /ə/ - a short, unstressed "uh" sound (like in "about")
  • /ˈpɪrə/ - the "pear" syllable, with the rounded "er" sound.
  • /ns/ - the "nce" at the end

Resources to help:

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  • Compare it to a similar-sounding word?

Usage and examples with the word appearance in English

Let's break down how to use the word "appearance" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. Physical Appearance (The Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: This refers to how someone or something looks physically – their outward appearance.
  • Examples:
    • "Her appearance was striking – tall, with fiery red hair and piercing blue eyes." (Describing a person's look)
    • "The car’s appearance was surprisingly good, considering its age." (Describing how something looks)
    • "He dressed in a dark suit, making a serious appearance." (Referring to the way someone is dressed)
    • "The weather had a gloomy appearance this morning." (Describing how the weather looks)

2. The Act of Appearing (To Show Up)

  • Definition: This refers to the action of becoming visible or showing up.
  • Examples:
    • "He made a dramatic appearance at the party, just as everyone was leaving." (He suddenly showed up)
    • "The witness’s appearance in court was delayed due to traffic." (His arrival was postponed)
    • “Her appearance surprised everyone.” (She showed up unexpectedly)

3. A Visual Impression / Aspect

  • Definition: This describes something that gives a particular impression, often related to a scene, setting, or performance.
  • Examples:
    • "The stage lighting created a dramatic appearance." (The lighting gave a specific impression)
    • “The appearance of the hotel was grand and opulent." (The hotel looked impressive)
    • "The movie’s appearance of realism was praised by critics." (The movie gave the impression that it was real, even if it wasn’t)

4. (Formal) An outward display or manifestation – This is a less common usage, often used in academic or legal contexts.

  • Definition: This refers to the outward display of something internal, like an emotion or a condition.
  • Examples:
    • “Her strained appearance betrayed her nervousness.” (Her facial expressions showed she was nervous.)
    • “The patient's appearance suggested a worsening of his illness.” (His condition showed he was getting worse.)

5. (Figurative) A visual representation or portrayal – Often used in art or media.

  • Definition: This describes a way something is depicted visually.
  • Examples:
    • "The painting captured the artist's appearance of a lonely figure." (The painting showed the figure as lonely)
    • "The film's appearance of a deserted town was incredibly unsettling." (The film made the town look desolate and frightening.)

Key Points to Remember:

  • Context is crucial: The precise meaning of "appearance" depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the meaning you want to convey, you might use words like: look, appearance, look, presentation, impression, display, or visibility.

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of sentence are you trying to write? (e.g., describing someone, talking about a place, analyzing a performance?)

Synonyms for the word appearance

Idioms of the word appearance

keep up appearances
to hide the truth about a bad situation and pretend that everything is going well
  • When she lost all her money she was determined to keep up appearances.

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