How to pronounce appearance
Say it like uh-PIR-uns. Appearance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PIR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce appearance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- PIR
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Appearance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PIRSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of appearance
American and British speakers say appearance in essentially the same way: /əˈpɪrəns/ in the US and /əˈpɪərəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-PEER-runs.
What does appearance mean?
- outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
- the event of coming into sight
- formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
Where does appearance come from?
Borrowed from Middle French apparence, from Latin apparentia, from appareo.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with appearance
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of appearance.
Questions about saying appearance
How do you pronounce appearance?
Say uh-PIR-uns. The American pronunciation is /əˈpɪrəns/. In British English it is /əˈpɪərəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in appearance?
Appearance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PIR). Broken into parts: uh · PIR · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say appearance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈpɪrəns/ and the British form is /əˈpɪərəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.