Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

1 V‑LINK [no cont] If you say that something appears to be the way you describe it, you are reporting what you believe or what you have been told, though you cannot be sure it is true. [VAGUENESS ] □ [V to-inf] There appears to be increasing support for the leadership to take a more aggressive stance. □ [V to-inf] The aircraft appears to have crashed near Katmandu. □ [V that] It appears that some missiles have been moved. □ [V adj] It appears unlikely that the U.N. would consider making such a move. □ [V n] The presidency is beginning to appear a political irrelevance. □ [V adj] He appeared willing to reach an agreement.

2 V‑LINK [no cont] If someone or something appears to have a particular quality or characteristic, they give the impression of having that quality or characteristic. □ [V adj] She did her best to appear more self-assured than she felt. □ [V n] He is anxious to appear a gentleman. □ [V to-inf] Under stress these people will appear to be superficial, over-eager and manipulative.

3 VERB When someone or something appears , they move into a position where you can see them. □ [V ] A woman appeared at the far end of the street. [Also there V n]

4 VERB When something new appears , it begins to exist or reaches a stage of development where its existence can be noticed. □ [V ] …small white flowers which appear in early summer. □ [V ] Slogans have appeared on walls around the city. [Also there V n]

5 VERB When something such as a book appears , it is published or becomes available for people to buy. □ [V ] …a poem which appeared in his last collection of verse.

6 VERB When someone appears in something such as a play, a show, or a television programme, they take part in it. □ [V + in ] Jill Bennett appeared in several of his plays. □ [V + on ] Student leaders appeared on television to ask for calm. [Also V + at ]

7 VERB When someone appears before a court of law or before an official committee, they go there in order to answer charges or to give information as a witness. □ [V + at/in ] Two other executives appeared at Worthing Magistrates' Court charged with tax fraud. □ [V + before ] The American will appear before members of the disciplinary committee at Portman Square.

ap|pear|ance ◆◆◇ /əp I ə rəns/ (appearances )

1 N‑COUNT When someone makes an appearance at a public event or in a broadcast, they take part in it. □  It was the president's second public appearance to date. □  He makes frequent television appearances.

2 N‑SING Someone's or something's appearance is the way that they look. □  She used to be so fussy about her appearance.

3 N‑SING The appearance of someone or something in a place is their arrival there, especially when it is unexpected. □ [+ of ] The sudden appearance of a few bags of rice could start a riot.

4 N‑SING The appearance of something new is its coming into existence or use. □ [+ of ] Fears are growing of a cholera outbreak following the appearance of a several cases in the city.

5 N‑SING If something has the appearance of a quality, it seems to have that quality. □ [+ of ] We tried to meet both children's needs without the appearance of favoritism or unfairness.

6 PHRASE If something is true to all appearances , from all appearances , or by all appearances , it seems from what you observe or know about it that it is true. □  He was a small and to all appearances an unassuming man.