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| Date: | 1200-1300 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | aparoir, from Latin apparere, from ad- 'to' + parere 'to show yourself' |
1 used to say how something seems, especially from what you know about it or from what you can see 
It may be less useful than it appears at first.
seem
[linking verb, not in progressive]It may be less useful than it appears at first. so it would appear (=used to say that something seems likely to be true, although you are not completely sure)
2 used to say that someone or something seems to have a particular quality or feeling : I don't want to appear rude.
give impression
[linking verb, not in progressive]I don't want to appear rude.3 to start to be seen, to arrive, or to exist in a place, especially suddenly : Two faces appeared at our window. A man suddenly appeared from behind a tree. Small cracks appeared in the wall. It was nearly an hour before Sweeney appeared in the pub.
start to be seen
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition ]Two faces appeared at our window.A man suddenly appeared from behind a tree.Small cracks appeared in the wall.It was nearly an hour before Sweeney appeared in the pub. appear from nowhere/out of nowhere (=appear suddenly and unexpectedly) The car seemed to appear from nowhere.
The car seemed to appear from nowhere.4 to take part in a film, play, concert, television programme etc
film/tv programme etc
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]5 to be written or shown on a list, in a book or newspaper, in a document etc : The story appeared in all the national newspapers.
book/newspaper etc
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]The story appeared in all the national newspapers.6 to become widely available or known about : The new range will be appearing in shops in the autumn. New courses are appearing every year.
available/known
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]The new range will be appearing in shops in the autumn.New courses are appearing every year.7 to go to a law court or other official meeting to give information, answer questions etc :
law court/meeting
[intransitive always + adverb/preposition]SCL appear before a court/judge/committee etc She appeared before Colchester magistrates charged with attempted murder.
She appeared before Colchester magistrates charged with attempted murder. appear for somebody/on behalf of somebody (=to be the legal representative for someone) Sir Nicholas Gammon QC appeared on behalf of the defendant.
Sir Nicholas Gammon QC appeared on behalf of the defendant. ➔ see usage note seemWORD CHOICE: WORD CHOICE:
seem, appear, look, soundSeem and appear have the same meaning but appear is more formal • They seem upset. • This appears to be a good solution.You use look to say how someone or something seems to you when you look at them • Maureen looked tired. • That book looks good. You use sound to say how someone or something seems to you when you hear or read about them, or hear them • She sounds a lovely person. • The party sounded great. • He sounded tired.GRAMMARSeem can be followed by an adjective or an adjective and noun • She seemed happy. • He seems a nice man.Seem can also be followed by a verb in the infinitive • His story seems to be true. • You seem to think it's my fault.!! Seem can be followed by as if or as though but not just by as • It seems a small thing (NOT it seems as a small thing), but it's very important. • It seemed as if he wanted us to leave (NOT it seemed as he wanted ...). ➔ See also seem
WORD CHOICE: seem, appear, look, soundSeem and appear have the same meaning but appear is more formal • They seem upset. • This appears to be a good solution.You use look to say how someone or something seems to you when you look at them • Maureen looked tired. • That book looks good. You use sound to say how someone or something seems to you when you hear or read about them, or hear them • She sounds a lovely person. • The party sounded great. • He sounded tired.GRAMMARSeem can be followed by an adjective or an adjective and noun • She seemed happy. • He seems a nice man.Seem can also be followed by a verb in the infinitive • His story seems to be true. • You seem to think it's my fault.!! Seem can be followed by as if or as though but not just by as • It seems a small thing (NOT it seems as a small thing), but it's very important. • It seemed as if he wanted us to leave (NOT it seemed as he wanted ...). ➔ See also seem
