appear

appearverb

To appear is to come into sight, to seem a certain way, or to take part in a show, a movie, or a court case.

1. come into sightcome into sight

   intransitive [I]

   • A ship appeared on the horizon.
   • She suddenly appeared in the doorway.
   • The stars appear as the sky grows dark.
   • A rash appeared on his arm.

   Antonyms disappear

2. seemseem to be true, based on how something looks or what is known

   linking [L] verb + adjective [V + adj] verb + to-infinitive [V + to-inf] verb + that-clause [V + that] not used in continuous tenses [no continuous]

   • She appeared nervous before the interview. V + adj
   • He appears to have left already. V + to-inf
   • It appears that the flight has been delayed. V + that
   • The house appears empty. V + adj

   Synonyms seem

3. performtake part in a movie, show, or performance

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj]

   • She has appeared in several films. V + prep + obj
   • The band last appeared on stage in the spring. V + prep + obj
   • He appears twice in the new show. V + prep + obj
   • The singer appeared live for the first time in years.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition appear in, appear on

4. attend courtbe present in court as a required part of a legal case

   intransitive [I] verb + preposition + object [V + prep + obj] law

   • He is due to appear in court next week. V + prep + obj
   • The witness failed to appear in court. V + prep + obj
   • She must appear before the judge on Monday. V + prep + obj
   • Both parties are required to appear in person.

   Collocations

   verb + preposition appear in court, appear before

See also seem