Words / B2

uh-PAR-uh-nt/əˈpærənt/

Apparent means easy to see, or seeming true but perhaps not: it was apparent that; the apparent cause. Apparently is the adverb (already in the dictionary). Obvious is stronger. Hidden is an opposite. Sampling problems can be apparent in the methods section.

Meaning

Easy to see or understand; also seeming to be true but perhaps not.

Examples

• “It was apparent that the sample omitted rural schools.”
• “The apparent saving vanished once overtime was counted, which is the “seeming” sense.”

Good to know

it is apparent that; the apparent + noun. Adverb: apparently. Stronger: obvious. Two senses: clear vs merely seeming. Methods sections.

Near in meaning

obvious

New