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semblancethe outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈsembləns/

Example Sentences

  • After the food fight, the cafeteria had lost all semblance of a civilized dining area.
  • She managed to keep some semblance of composure despite finding a spider in her coffee.
  • The meeting maintained only a bare semblance of professionalism.

semblance

NOUN

[/ˈsembləns/]

the outward appearance or apparent form of something, especially when the reality is different

The abandoned mansion still kept a semblance of its former grandeur.
💡 Concept

The abandoned mansion still kept a semblance of its former grandeur.

False semblance meets real ambulance - no resemblance to competence!
🎵 Rhyme

False semblance meets real ambulance - no resemblance to competence!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈsembləns/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈsembləns/

🌳Etymology

Rootsembl
Suffix--ance

Origin

From Old French 'semblance' meaning 'appearance' or 'likeness,' derived from the verb 'sembler' (to seem or appear), which comes from Latin 'simulare' (to make like or pretend).

Breakdown

From Old French 'sembl-' (to seem/appear) + '-ance' (noun suffix indicating a state or quality) = semblance (appearance or outward form)

🎵Rhyme

resemblanceambulance
resemblance
ambulance

🔗Collocations

some semblance of
maintain semblance
bare semblance
lose all semblance
semblance of order

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

After the food fight, the cafeteria had lost all semblance of a civilized dining area.

😄 Fun example

She managed to keep some semblance of composure despite finding a spider in her coffee.

The meeting maintained only a bare semblance of professionalism.

😄 Fun example

His room bore no semblance to the neat space his mother had cleaned yesterday.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

appearanceresemblancelikenessfacadepretense

Antonyms

realitysubstancetruth

Related

similarityimitationsimulationveneer

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