apparent
Definitions
Clearly visible or easily understood; obvious
明显的；显而易见的
Seeming real or true, but not necessarily so
表面上的；貌似的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedap- (toward) + parēre (to appear) + -ent = "coming into view." This belongs to the 'appear' branch (parere), NOT to 'prepare' or 'equal.' From 'visible' grew two senses that pull in opposite directions: genuinely obvious, and merely seeming.
Root par still carries 36 more wordsWhy It Means This
Watch the two senses tug apart. "It was apparent that he was lying" means plainly obvious. But "her apparent calm" or "the heir apparent" leans the other way — seeming, on the surface, not yet proven. Context decides: an apparent fact is real; an apparent virtue may be a mask. Same word, opposite confidence levels.
Common Collocations
- 1.for no apparent reason无缘无故地
- 2.become apparent变得明显
- 3.heir apparent法定继承人
- 4.apparent contradiction明显的矛盾
Example Sentences
- 1.
It soon became apparent that no one was in charge.
- 2.
The car stopped for no apparent reason.
- 3.
Her apparent confidence hid a deep anxiety.