appear

Appear is a versatile English verb with senses connected to visibility, perception, and occurrence. In its primary sense, it means to become visible or be perceived by the senses: a figure appeared at the doorway; clouds appeared on the horizon. It can also express seeming or giving the impression of something: The results appear inconclusive; he appears tired. The phrase appear to + infinitive is common, indicating that something is not yet known with certainty: The project appears to be on schedule; The error appears to have been caused by a misconfiguration.

Etymology and related forms: The word is derived from Latin apparēre meaning to appear, via Old French apparaïre and Middle English forms.

Grammar and usage: Appear is usually intransitive but can take a complement clause with to as in appear to be or appear to have. It can also be followed by in to indicate where one shows up: The actor appeared in a new film. The noun appearance denotes the act of appearing or the outward look; the adjective apparent means seeming, and apparently means seemingly.

Usage notes: Appear differs from seem in that appear can refer to actual visibility or presence, while seem more about the speaker’s or observer’s impression. The phrase appear before a court means to present oneself there in a legal proceeding.

Examples: A figure appeared at the door. The results appear to be solid. The singer appeared on the stage to loud applause.