adj.
Pronunciation: ə - ' per- ə nt, - ' pa-r ə nt
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French apparant, from Latin apparent-, apparens, present participle of appar ē re to appear
Date: 14th century
1 : open to view : VISIBLE
2 : clear or manifest to the understanding <reasons that are readily apparent >
3 : appearing as actual to the eye or mind
4 : having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or estate
5 : manifest to the senses or mind as real or true on the basis of evidence that may or may not be factually valid <the air of spontaneity is perhaps more apparent than real ― J. R. Sutherland>
– ap · par · ent · ness \ -n ə s \ noun
synonyms APPARENT , ILLUSORY , SEEMING , OSTENSIBLE mean not actually being what appearance indicates. APPARENT suggests appearance to unaided senses that may or may not be borne out by more rigorous examination or greater knowledge <the apparent cause of the accident>. ILLUSORY implies a false impression based on deceptive resemblance or faulty observation, or influenced by emotions that prevent a clear view <an illusory sense of security>. SEEMING implies a character in the thing observed that gives it the appearance, sometimes through intent, of something else <the seeming simplicity of the story>. OSTENSIBLE suggests a discrepancy between an openly declared or naturally implied aim or reason and the true one <the ostensible reason for their visit>. synonym see in addition EVIDENT