Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

2 N‑COUNT An app is a computer program that is designed for use on a mobile digital device. [COMPUTING ] □  The company recently launched a free phone app that translates conversations while you speak.

ap|pal /əpɔː l/ (appals , appalling , appalled ) in AM, use appall VERB If something appals you, it disgusts you because it seems so bad or unpleasant. □ [V n] His ignorance appals me. [Also V ]

ap|palled /əpɔː ld/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are appalled by something, you are shocked or disgusted because it is so bad or unpleasant. □  We are appalled that such items are still on sale.

ap|pal|ling /əpɔː l I ŋ/

1 ADJ Something that is appalling is so bad or unpleasant that it shocks you. □  They have been living under the most appalling conditions for two months. ●  ap|pal|ling|ly ADV □  He says that he understands why they behaved so appallingly.

2 ADJ You can use appalling to emphasize that something is very great or severe. [EMPHASIS ] □  I developed an appalling headache. ●  ap|pal|ling|ly ADV □  It's been an appallingly busy morning.

3 → see also appal

ap|pa|rat|chik /æ pəræ tʃ I k/ (apparatchiks ) N‑COUNT An apparatchik is someone who works for a government or a political party and who obeys orders. [FORMAL , DISAPPROVAL ]

ap|pa|rat|us /æ pəre I təs, -ræ t-/ (apparatuses )

1 N‑VAR The apparatus of an organization or system is its structure and method of operation. □  For many years, the country had been buried under the apparatus of the regime.

2 N‑VAR Apparatus is the equipment, such as tools and machines, which is used to do a particular job or activity. □  One of the boys had to be rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.

ap|par|el /əpæ rəl/ N‑UNCOUNT Apparel means clothes, especially formal clothes worn on an important occasion. [mainly AM , FORMAL ]

ap|par|ent ◆◇◇ /əpæ rənt/

1 ADJ [ADJ n] An apparent situation, quality, or feeling seems to exist, although you cannot be certain that it does exist. □  I was a bit depressed by our apparent lack of progress.

2 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If something is apparent to you, it is clear and obvious to you. □  It has been apparent that in other areas standards have held up well.

3 PHRASE If you say that something happens for no apparent reason , you cannot understand why it happens. □  The person may become dizzy for no apparent reason.

ap|par|ent|ly ◆◆◇ /əpæ rəntli/

1 ADV [ADV before v] You use apparently to indicate that the information you are giving is something that you have heard, but you are not certain that it is true. [VAGUENESS ] □  Oil prices fell this week, apparently because of over-production.

2 ADV [ADV before v] You use apparently to refer to something that seems to be true, although you are not sure whether it is or not. □  The recent deterioration has been caused by an apparently endless recession. SYNONYMS apparently ADV 2

seemingly:He is a man with seemingly not an ounce of malice in him.

outwardly:Outwardly this looked like the beginning of a terrific programme.

ostensibly:He gave an interview ostensibly to talk about the economy.

ap|pa|ri|tion /æ pər I ʃ ^ə n/ (apparitions ) N‑COUNT An apparition is someone you see or think you see but who is not really there as a physical being. [FORMAL ]

ap|peal ◆◆◇ /əpiː l/ (appeals , appealing , appealed )