Semblance is having an outward appearance that resembles something desired, even if the reality doesn't match the appearance.
An example of semblance is when you stuff all your paperwork in a drawer.
- outward form or appearance; aspect
- seeming likeness; resemblance
- a likeness, image, or representation
- false, assumed, or deceiving form or appearance
- mere empty show; pretense
Origin of semblanceMiddle English ; from Old French ; from sembler, to seem, appear ; from Classical Latin similare, to make like ; from similis, like: see same
- An outward or token appearance: “Foolish men mistake transitory semblance for eternal fact” (Thomas Carlyle).
- A representation; a copy.
- The barest trace; a modicum: not a semblance of truth to the story.
Origin of semblanceMiddle English, from Old French, from sembler, to resemble; see semblable.