apparent

[ uh-pair-uhnt, uh-par- ]

adjective

1. readily seen; exposed to sight; open to view; visible:

   The crack in the wall was readily apparent.

   Synonyms: discernible

2. capable of being easily perceived or understood; plain or clear; obvious:

   The solution to the problem was apparent to all.

   Synonyms: unmistakable, manifest, conspicuous, open

   Antonyms: obscure

3. according to appearances, initial evidence, incomplete results, etc.; ostensible rather than actual:

   He was the apparent winner of the election.

4. entitled to a right of inheritance by birth, indefeasible except by one's death before that of the ancestor, to an inherited throne, title, or other estate. Compare heir apparent, heir presumptive.

apparent

/ əˈpɛər-; əˈpærənt /

adjective

1. readily seen or understood; evident; obvious
2. usually prenominal seeming, as opposed to real

   his apparent innocence belied his complicity in the crime

3. physics as observed but ignoring such factors as the motion of the observer, changes in the environment, etc Compare true

Derived Forms

• apˈparentness, noun

Other Words From

• ap·par·ent·ly adverb
• ap·par·ent·ness noun
• non·ap·par·ent adjective
• non·ap·par·ent·ly adverb
• non·ap·par·ent·ness noun
• self-ap·parent adjective
• sub·ap·par·ent adjective
• sub·ap·par·ent·ly adverb
• sub·ap·par·ent·ness noun
• un·ap·par·ent adjective
• un·ap·par·ent·ly adverb
• un·ap·par·ent·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin appārent-, stem of appārēns “appearing,” present participle of appārēre “to come into view, become visible”; replacing Middle English aparant, from Middle French; appear

Word History and Origins

Origin of apparent¹

C14: from Latin appārēns, from appārēre to appear

Synonym Study

Apparent, evident, obvious, patent all refer to something easily perceived. Apparent applies to that which can readily be seen or perceived: an apparent effort. Evident applies to that which facts or circumstances make plain: His innocence was evident. Obvious applies to that which is unquestionable, because of being completely manifest or noticeable: an obvious change of method. Patent, a more formal word, applies to that which is open to view or understanding by all: a patent error.

Example Sentences

Residents of the neighborhoods where cops are needed the most are mixed on the impact of the apparent slowdown.

From The Daily Beast

Neither is unnerved by her apparent anger, nor do they see her as threatening.

From The Daily Beast

Yet according to Hamilton, “it was quickly apparent that other than pecuniary consolation would be acceptable.”

From The Daily Beast

Despite her omnipresence, The Pinkprint makes it apparent how little we actually know about Nicki Minaj.

From The Daily Beast

Nowhere is this new family dynamic more apparent than around the holidays.

From The Daily Beast

He heard himself saying lightly, though with apparent lack of interest: 'How curious, Lettice, how very odd!

From Project Gutenberg

The heir apparent and his brothers were cowering in fear, afraid to strike, yet hoping that others would strike for them.

From Project Gutenberg

The result of the restoration of trade, banking, and credit to earlier and more normal conditions has been steadily apparent.

From Project Gutenberg

The apparent slightness of these English changes reveals their deliberate subtlety.

From Project Gutenberg

Increase of hemoglobin, or hyperchromemia, is uncommon, and is probably more apparent than real.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• clear
• conspicuous
• discernible
• evident
• glaring
• noticeable
• overt
• palpable
• understandable
• unmistakable
• visible