DictionaryAI

appear

verb
Sayuh-PEER/əˈpɪɹ/UK/əˈpɪə/

Formsappears, appearing, appeared

6 meanings of appear

Practice

  1. 1
    seemverbintransitive
    To seem to be something, or to seem true from what you can see or know.

    Like a book cover that shows one thing while the story inside may be different.

    They appear tired after the long drive.

    From far away, the rock appeared to be an old house.

    UsageSay appear tired or appear to be tired. It means about the same as seem.

  2. 2
    become visibleverbintransitive
    To come into view so that people can see it.

    Like an actor stepping out from behind a curtain onto the stage.

    Stars appear in the sky when it gets dark.

    A rainbow appeared over the hills after the storm.

    Similaremerge, materialize, show, surface

    Oppositedisappear, vanish

  3. 3
    in the mediaverbintransitive
    To be seen in public, for example on TV, on stage, or in a newspaper.

    Famous singers appear on the show every week.

    Her photo appeared in the local newspaper.

    UsageSay appear on TV, appear in a film or newspaper.

    Similarperform, play, feature, debut

  4. 4
    begin to existverbintransitive
    To begin to exist, or to be ready for people to get or use for the first time.

    New coffee shops seem to appear on this street every year.

    Her first book appeared in stores last spring.

    Similararise

  5. 5
    before authoritiesverbintransitive
    To come before a judge, a court, or another official group to answer questions or take part in a case.

    Like being called to the principal's office to explain what happened.

    You must appear in court next Monday to answer the charges.

    She appeared before the judge with her lawyer at her side.

    UsageSay appear in court or appear before a judge.

Less common meaning

  1. 6
    verbobsolete
    To make something come into view so that people can see it.

Practice

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Origin

It came into English through Old French from Latin "appāreō" ("I appear"), made of "ad" (to) and "pāreō," which meant "I come forth" or "I become visible."