Definition of appear

< appealing

appearance >

ap·pear    (-pîr) KEY 

intr.v.
ap·peared, ap·pear·ing, ap·pears

1. To become visible: a plane appearing in the sky.
2. To come into existence: New strains of viruses appear periodically.
3. To seem or look to be: appeared unhappy. See Synonyms at seem.
4. To seem likely: They will be late, as it appears.
5. To come before the public: has appeared in two plays; appears on the nightly news.
6. Law To present oneself formally before a court as defendant, plaintiff, or counsel.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English aperen, from Old French aparoir, aper-, from Latin apprre : ad-, ad- + prre, to show

SYNONYMS:
appear, emerge, issue, loom¹, materialize, show

These verbs mean to come into view: a ship appearing on the horizon; a star that emerged from behind a cloud; a diver issuing from the water; a peak that loomed through the mist; a job offer that materialized overnight; a shirtsleeve showing at the edge of the jacket. See also Synonyms at seem.