The spelling of the word "appearance" can be confusing due to the different sounds represented by each letter. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /əˈpɪrəns/. The first syllable, "ap," is pronounced with a schwa sound, the second syllable "pear" is pronounced with the long "e" sound and the final syllable "ance" is pronounced with the "uhns" sound. In English spelling, the letter "a" represents the schwa sound, while "ea" represents the long "e" sound and "ance" represents the "uhns" sound.
The term "appearance" refers to the way something or someone looks, presents, or seems to others, particularly in terms of physical characteristics or first impressions. It encompasses the visible aspects, expressions, or attributes that can be observed or perceived through sight. Appearance often involves one's clothing, grooming, facial expressions, body language, or overall demeanor. It can also refer to the state or condition of something, such as the visual condition of an object or surface.
In the context of personal or social interaction, appearance plays a significant role in shaping initial judgments or assessments. It can influence the way others perceive and evaluate an individual, object, or situation. People often tend to make assumptions or form opinions about others based on their appearance, as it offers cues or signals about various aspects including age, gender, social status, personality traits, or cultural background.
Furthermore, appearance can extend beyond the visual realm and encompass other sensory aspects related to how something is experienced. This may include elements such as the sound, smell, taste, or touch associated with a certain entity. In a broader sense, appearance can also refer to the act or instance of appearing, indicating when someone or something becomes visible or arrives in a certain place.
Overall, appearance encompasses the visual, sensory, and perceptual aspects that contribute to the overall impression of something or someone, and it significantly influences the way individuals are perceived and evaluated in various contexts.
A coming in sight; the thing seen; the look of a person or thing; pretence; show.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word appearance derives from the Middle English term apparance, which was borrowed from the Old French word apparance. In turn, apparance originated from the Latin word apparentia, derived from the verb apparere, meaning to appear or to be visible.