apparent
Apparent means obvious, but — and this is confusing — it can also mean something that seems to be true but isn't definite. "The train's arrival is apparent — it's in the station — but apparently my friend missed it because she is not getting off."
It makes sense that apparent has the same ancient root as appear because it's about what is plain to see. Its subtle power of suggestion, however, is wonderfully useful. The "heir apparent" technically means next in line, but the ink isn't dry. The power of apparent is that it leaves the door open for a little ambiguity. Maybe the heir apparent will be the next king, or maybe he'll be overthrown in a bloodless coup by his apparently more ambitious cousin.
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clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment“the effects of the drought are apparent to anyone who sees the parched fields”
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synonyms:
evident, manifest, patent, plain, resounding, unmistakable
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obvious
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
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obvious
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appearing as such but not necessarily so“for all his apparent wealth he had no money to pay the rent”“the committee investigated some apparent discrepancies”
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synonyms:
ostensible, seeming
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superficial
concerned with or comprehending only what is apparent or obvious; not deep or penetrating emotionally or intellectually
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superficial
/əˈpɛrənt/
/əˈpæɾənt/
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Vocabulary lists containing apparent
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The sole survivor of a plane crash in the Canadian wilderness, thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson will need resourcefulness, courage, and strength in order to stay alive.