apparent
apparent Lexical Profile
apparent Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Clearly visible, readily perceived, or easily understood by the mind; obvious.
"It soon became apparent to the instructors that the new curriculum was improving student comprehension."
Appearing to be real, true, or valid on the surface, though not necessarily so upon closer examination; ostensible.
"Despite his apparent calm during the presentation, he was actually quite nervous."
Having an indefeasible right to succeed to a title or throne that cannot be displaced by the birth of another heir (used postpositively in the phrase 'heir apparent').
"As the monarch's eldest child, she was officially recognized as the heir apparent."
Word Nuance & Usage
"Apparent" has two nearly opposite senses depending on syntax: when used after a linking verb (e.g., "the cause became apparent"), it means clearly visible or obvious; when placed directly before a noun (e.g., "their apparent indifference"), it often means seeming real on the surface but not necessarily true.
• Rhymes for apparent
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French aparant, from Latin apparentem, the present participle of apparere ("to appear, come in sight"), formed from ad- ("to") and parere ("to come forth, be visible").
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.