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Definition of apparently

apparently

/əˈpɛr.ənt.li/
ap · par · ent · ly
Adjective:apparent
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apparently Lexical Profile

apparently Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

As far as one knows or can see; according to what seems to be true or has been reported, though not necessarily verified with certainty.

Example

"The flight was delayed for three hours, apparently due to a minor mechanical issue."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for apparently
Antonyms
View all antonyms for apparently

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'apparent' can mean either 'obvious' or 'seeming', 'apparently' almost always signals that the speaker is relying on second-hand information or visual appearance rather than absolute certainty.

• Nearby Words

apparatus
apparel
apparent
apparently
apparition
appeal
appealable

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English from the adjective 'apparent' and the adverbial suffix '-ly', tracing back through Old French to the Latin verb 'apparere' ('to appear or come in sight').

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Apparently. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/apparently
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