appearance

How something seems

Appearance is how something looks or seems to others—the outward aspect rather than the inner reality.

Appearances can be deceiving.

An appearance is also an instance of showing up: a court appearance, a guest appearance on a talk show, a celebrity's public appearances.

To keep up appearances is to maintain an outward show of prosperity or respectability despite private troubles.

To make an appearance is to show up, often briefly or as a formality.

illusion

mirage

Atmospheric optical deception

hallucinationPerception without external cause
phantasmIllusory supernatural appearance
deceptionIntentional misleading of others

façade · disguise · camouflage · masquerade · trickery · optical illusion · trompe-l'oeil · chimera · delusion · figment

physical

complexion

Skin tone, appearance

featuresDistinctive qualities or aspects
physiqueBodily structure and form
countenanceFace or expression

visage · mien · physiognomy · looks · bearing · figure · stature · build · demeanor · grooming

perception

semblance

Outward but misleading appearance

impressionEffect on the mind
seemingAppearing to be
outwardToward the outside

surface · aspect · guise · air · look · manner · effect · show · display · pretense

philosophy

phenomenon

Extraordinary observable occurrence

essenceFundamental nature of something
realityWhat actually exists
representationDepiction or likeness

mimesis · ontology · qualia · perception · manifestation · thing-in-itself · phenomenology · being · substance · form

fashion

outfit

Set of clothes worn together

ensembleUnified group or outfit
wardrobeGarment storage furniture
attirePersonal garments collectively

garments · accessories · styling · elegance · glamour · chic · couture · tailoring · grooming · polish

manifestation

specter

Ghostly threatening presence

ghostApparition of the dead
visionAbility to see
phantomInsubstantial apparition

emergence · materialization · arrival · occurrence · sighting · presence · visitation · revelation · epiphany · showing

Categories

identityidentity, personal identity, self, selfhood, self-expression
sensory qualitiestaste, smell, aroma, sound, texture
first impressionsfirst impression, first impressions, initial reaction, snap judgment, snap judgments
product featuressize, color, durable, quality, material
self-presentationgrooming, hygiene, clothing, makeup, hairstyle
formshape, structure, format, configuration, pattern

Opposites

presence vs. absence

appearancedisappearance

Act of going missing

departure · exit · absence · vanishing · leaving

surface vs. substance

appearancereality

What actually exists

substance · essence · truth · fact · actuality

visible vs. invisible

appearanceinvisibility

State of being unseen

concealment · hiding · obscurity · hiddenness · disappearance

Phrases

make an appearanceArrive and be seen
made an appearanceBecame visible or present
making an appearanceAttending briefly, being seen
guest appearanceBrief role by outsider
keep up appearancesPretend all is well
physical appearanceBodily visual traits

Family

reappearance, disappearance, appearances, reappearances, nonappearance

Familiarity: Top 5,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G