semblance

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ˈsɛmbləns/ UK /ˈsɛmbləns/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
an outward appearance or likeness, often superficial

After the storm, a semblance of order slowly returned.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · an outward appearance or... appearance likeness guise show veneer pretense resemblance

Opposites

reality substance

Word family

Related forms resemble resemblance assemble similar

Simplified etymology

Semblance entered English in the Middle Ages and ultimately derives from the same Latin source as similar: similis, “like.” Its relatives include resemble, simile, and simulation.

Etymology

From Old French 'semblance', from 'sembler' ('to seem, resemble'), from Latin 'similare' ('to make like'), from 'similis' ('like').

sembler Old French similis Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# semblance

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈsɛmbləns/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈsɛmbləns/

## Meanings
1. an outward appearance or likeness, often superficial

## Examples
- After the storm, a semblance of order slowly returned.

## Synonyms
- appearance
- likeness
- guise
- show
- veneer
- pretense
- resemblance

## Antonyms
- reality
- substance

## Related Forms
- resemble
- resemblance
- assemble
- similar

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: sembler
- Root: similis

## Etymology
From Old French 'semblance', from 'sembler' ('to seem, resemble'), from Latin 'similare' ('to make like'), from 'similis' ('like').

## AI Etymology
Semblance comes from Old French 'semblance', from 'sembler' ('to seem, resemble'), from Latin 'similare' ('to make like'), from 'similis' ('like'). The form is best read as a historical transfer or inheritance, with its older language material carrying the main semantic load. As a noun, it denotes "an outward appearance or likeness, often superficial", keeping the historical idea close to its dictionary sense. Relevant historical forms include Old French sembler and Latin similis. Related words include resemble, resemblance, assemble, similar.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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