apparently

comparative more apparently · superlative most apparently

1. rarePlainly; clearly; manifestly; evidently.

   If he should scorn me so apparently.

   1591, William Shakespeare, The Comedy of Errors, act 4, scene 1

   1 more example

   One, my lord, that doth so palpably, so apparently make her adulteries a trophy, whiles the poting-stick to her unsatiate goatish abomination jeers at, and flouts your sleepish, and more than sleepish, security.

   1633, Iohn Ford [i.e., John Ford], Loues Sacrifice. A Tragedie […], London: […] I[ohn] B[eale] for Hugh Beeston, […], →OCLC, (please specify the page)

   Synonyms: obviously, plainly, clearly, evidently, visibly, blatantly, baitly, clearly

2. Seemingly; in appearance.

   A man may be apparently friendly, yet malicious in heart.

   2 more examples

   The r-stems had apparently been reduced to the five nuclear kinship terms that still survive in Modern English.

   2006, Donald Ringe, From Proto-Indo-European to Proto-Germanic (A Linguistic History of English; 1), Oxford: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 197

   According to one account, Brianna grew distracted while they were shopping and told Kellie she would be right back before stepping outside. Brianna apparently returned tense and agitated, unwilling to say what was bothering her.

   2026 July 16, Nicholas Muhoro, “Inside the 2004 Brianna Maitland Case: One of Vermont’s Most Haunting Mysteries”, in Skip Boring, archived from the original on 21 Jul 2026

   Synonyms: ostensibly, seemingly, at first blush, at first glance, at first sight, on the face of it, on the surface, ostensibly

3. According to what the speaker has read or heard.

   Apparently you are quite a good dancer.

   2 more examples

   "[…] Apparently they are going to contact the adoption agency and see if they can locate that child. […]"

   2006, Lois Lewandowski, The Fatal Heir: A Gillian Jones Mystery, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 169

   Similarly, the new move to apparently involve the National Guard in ICE operations could rub people the wrong way.

   2025 June 11, Aaron Blake, “Americans voted for deportations. They didn’t necessarily vote for this.”, in CNN

   Synonyms: allegedly, reportedly

4. oftensarcasticAccording to what one can deduce.

   Peridot: I can tell you with certainty that there are things on this planet worth protecting! Yellow Diamond: What do you know about the Earth?! Peridot: Apparently more than you, you clod!

   2016, “Message Received”, in Steven Universe