appear
/əˈpɪr/
Reviewed on
Type
Verb
Meaning
To seem or give the impression of being something.
He appears calm despite the high pressure of the situation.
Does the new manager appear receptive to our proposed changes?
To become visible or suddenly come into sight.
A deer suddenly appeared on the edge of the dark woods.
Several cracks had appeared along the foundation wall after the freeze.
To attend a formal hearing or legal proceeding in person.
The witness must appear before the grand jury next Tuesday morning.
Her attorney appeared in court on her behalf to request an extension.
To be published, released, or publicly presented.
Her latest investigative article will appear in tomorrow's edition of the paper.
Has the actor ever appeared in a Broadway musical?
How it's used
When this means “give the impression of being”
- appear confident
The candidate appeared confident during the debate.
When this means “give an impression that something is the case”
- appear to hesitate
They appeared to hesitate before answering the question.
When this means “come into sight”
- appeared out of nowhere
The cyclist appeared out of nowhere.
When this means “attend a legal proceeding”
- appear in court
“appear before him.”
He had to appear before the judge at nine.
Collocations
- appear likely
- appear out of nowhere
- appear before a judge
- appear in print
- appear on television
Antonyms
- vanish
- disappear
Idioms
appear on the scene
arrive or become noticeable in a particular area
New competitors appeared on the scene just as prices fell.