Appearance vs. Reality — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 21, 2023
Appearance refers to the way something looks or seems to the senses, while reality refers to the actual state or condition of that thing, irrespective of how it appears. They differ in that appearance can be deceptive, whereas reality is objective.
Difference Between Appearance and Reality
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Appearance is all about perception; it encompasses how things look, feel, or seem, which is often subject to interpretation. Reality, on the other hand, is the actual substance of a situation or entity, often existing independently of what is perceived.
While appearance is tied to our subjective experiences, reality has an objective existence that is true irrespective of individual perspectives.
Appearance can be deceptive and might not always reflect the underlying reality. For instance, someone may appear happy but may actually be struggling internally. Reality does not change based on perception; it remains constant and is the sum total of actual conditions or facts. However, understanding reality can often be complicated due to misleading appearances. Sometimes appearances are manipulated to create a certain impression, which can further obfuscate the understanding of reality. For example, a product might appear to be of high quality due to good marketing, while its reality could be entirely different.
Comparison Chart
Nature
Subjective
Objective
Depends On
Perception, senses
Actual conditions, facts
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Can Be
Deceptive
Constant
Role
Impression
Truth
Influence
Can be influenced by external factors
Generally not influenced by perception
Compare with Definitions
Appearance
The way that someone or something looks.
Her appearance was always neat and professional.
Reality
A real event, entity, or state of affairs.
The reality of climate change is undeniable.
Appearance
An outward show or display.
The movie had the appearance of a blockbuster, but it wasn't.
Reality
Practical or objective considerations.
The reality is that we can't afford to buy a new car.
Appearance
Formal participation in a legal proceeding.
She made an appearance in court today.
Reality
The state of things as they actually exist.
The reality was much different from what we expected.
Appearance
A visual or sensory aspect of any thing.
The cake had a delightful appearance but tasted awful.
Reality
Actual being or existence.
In reality, he was never at the scene.
Appearance
The way that someone or something looks
She checked her appearance in the mirror
Reality
Reality is the sum or aggregate of all that is real or existent within a system, as opposed to that which is only imaginary. The term is also used to refer to the ontological status of things, indicating their existence.
Appearance
An act of performing or participating in a public event
He is well known for his television appearances
Reality
The state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them
Laura was losing touch with reality
He refuses to face reality
Appearance
An act of arriving or becoming visible
The sudden appearance of her daughter startled her
Reality
The state or quality of having existence or substance
Youth, when death has no reality
Appearance
The act or an instance of coming into sight.
Reality
The quality or state of being actual or true.
Appearance
The act or an instance of coming into public view
The author made a rare personal appearance.
Reality
One, such as a person, an entity, or an event, that is actual
"the weight of history and political realities" (Benno C. Schmidt, Jr.).
Appearance
Outward aspect
An untidy appearance.
Reality
The totality of all things possessing actuality, existence, or essence.
Appearance
Something that appears; a phenomenon.
Reality
That which exists objectively and in fact
Your observations do not seem to be about reality.
Appearance
A superficial aspect; a semblance
Keeping up an appearance of wealth.
Reality
Relating to or being a genre of television or film in which a storyline is created by editing footage of people interacting or competing with one another in unscripted, unrehearsed situations.
Appearance
Appearances Outward indications; circumstances
A cheerful person, to all appearances.
Reality
The state of being actual or real; realness.
The reality of the crash scene on TV dawned upon him only when he saw the victim was no actor but his friend.
Appearance
The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye.
His sudden appearance surprised me.
Reality
The real world.
Appearance
A thing seen; a phenomenon; an apparition.
There was a strange appearance in the sky.
Reality
A real entity, event, or other fact.
The ultimate reality of life is that it ends in death.
Appearance
The way something looks; personal presence
Reality
The entirety of all that is real.
Appearance
Apparent likeness; the way which something or someone appears to others.
Some people say I'm shallow because I care so much about my appearance.
Reality
An individual observer's own subjective perception of that which is real.
Appearance
That which is not substance, essence, hypostasis; the outward reality as opposed to the underlying reality
Catholicism teaches that the Eucharist, while remaining under the physical appearance of bread and wine, becomes really and truly the body and the blood of Christ.
Reality
(obsolete) loyalty; devotion.
Appearance
The act of appearing in a particular place, or in society, a company, or any proceedings; a coming before the public in a particular character.
A person makes his appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.
David Beckham's first appearance with the LA Galaxy at Giants Stadium against the New York Red Bulls last night drew a crowd of 66237.
Reality
; real estate.
Appearance
(legal) An instance of someone coming into a court of law to be part of a trial, either in person or represented by an attorney or such like; a court appearance
Reality
The state or quality of being real; actual being or existence of anything, in distinction from mere appearance; fact.
A man fancies that he understands a critic, when in reality he does not comprehend his meaning.
Appearance
(medical) Chiefly used by nurses: the act of defecation by a patient.
The patient had a small bowel obstruction and there was no appearance until after the obstruction resolved.
Reality
That which is real; an actual existence; that which is not imagination, fiction, or pretense; that which has objective existence, and is not merely an idea.
And to realities yield all her shows.
My neck may be an idea to you, but it is a reality to me.
Appearance
The act of appearing or coming into sight; the act of becoming visible to the eye; as, his sudden appearance surprised me.
Reality
Loyalty; devotion.
To express our reality to the emperor.
Appearance
A thing seed; a phenomenon; a phase; an apparition; as, an appearance in the sky.
Reality
See 2d Realty, 2.
Appearance
Personal presence; exhibition of the person; look; aspect; mien.
And now am come to see . . . It thy appearance answer loud report.
Reality
All of your experiences that determine how things appear to you;
His world was shattered
We live in different worlds
For them demons were as much a part of reality as trees were
Appearance
Semblance, or apparent likeness; external show. pl. Outward signs, or circumstances, fitted to make a particular impression or to determine the judgment as to the character of a person or a thing, an act or a state; as, appearances are against him.
There was upon the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire.
For man looketh on the outward appearance.
Judge not according to the appearance.
Reality
The state of being actual or real;
The reality of his situation slowly dawned on him
Appearance
The act of appearing in a particular place, or in society, a company, or any proceedings; a coming before the public in a particular character; as, a person makes his appearance as an historian, an artist, or an orator.
Will he now retire,After appearance, and again prolongOur expectation?
Reality
The state of the world as it really is rather than as you might want it to be;
Businessmen have to face harsh realities
Appearance
Probability; likelihood.
There is that which hath no appearance.
Reality
The quality possessed by something that is real
Appearance
The coming into court of either of the parties; the being present in court; the coming into court of a party summoned in an action, either by himself or by his attorney, expressed by a formal entry by the proper officer to that effect; the act or proceeding by which a party proceeded against places himself before the court, and submits to its jurisdiction.
Reality
The quality or state of being real.
Virtual experiences can't replace reality.
Appearance
Outward or visible aspect of a person or thing
Appearance
The event of coming into sight
Appearance
Formal attendance (in court or at a hearing) of a party in an action
Appearance
A mental representation;
I tried to describe his appearance to the police
Appearance
The act of appearing in public view;
The rookie made a brief appearance in the first period
It was Bernhardt's last appearance in America
Appearance
Pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression;
They try to keep up appearances
That ceremony is just for show
Appearance
Coming into sight.
His sudden appearance surprised everyone.
Common Curiosities
What does appearance mean?
Appearance refers to the way something looks or seems to the senses.
Is reality subjective?
Generally, reality is considered objective, existing independently of individual perceptions.
Can appearance affect our understanding of reality?
Yes, appearances can influence our perceptions and may obscure the true nature of reality.
Can appearance be controlled?
Yes, appearance can often be manipulated or controlled to create a specific impression.
What factors influence appearance?
Lighting, perspective, and individual perception can all influence appearance.
Can reality be distorted?
While reality itself is constant, our understanding of it can be distorted.
What does reality mean?
Reality refers to the actual state or condition of something.
Can appearance be misleading?
Yes, appearance can be deceptive and may not reflect the true reality.
Is reality constant?
Reality is generally considered constant, not changing based on perceptions.
Is reality always truth?
Reality is considered the sum total of all facts and actual conditions and is generally regarded as truth.
Is reality absolute or relative?
Reality is generally considered absolute, existing irrespective of individual opinions or perceptions.
Can appearance change over time?
Yes, appearance can change due to various factors like aging, lighting, or context.
Do appearance and reality always align?
No, appearance and reality can sometimes diverge significantly.
Can both appearance and reality be important?
Yes, both can be important in different contexts. Appearance often matters in social situations, while reality is crucial for factual understanding.
Is it important to distinguish between appearance and reality?
Yes, distinguishing between appearance and reality is crucial for understanding the true nature of things.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
