əˈpɪəɹəns əˈpɪɹəns əˈpɪəɹ.ɪŋ ʃəʊ ʃoʊ the act of appearing in public view the rookie made a brief appearance in the first period it was Bernhardt's last appearance in America pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression they try to keep up appearances that ceremony is just for show formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action outward or visible aspect of a person or thing a mental representation I tried to describe his appearance to the police the event of coming into sight