semblance
gb/sˈɛmbləns/ us/sˈɛmbləns/
C1
Англійська
~ 8300
Значення
0 значень
Іменник
formal
C1
entity
1
outward appearance, possibly misleading
The way something looks from the outside, especially when this look is not fully real or true.
Модель уживання:
a semblance of [something]
Поширена помилка:
Learners sometimes use "semblance" when they only mean a simple or neutral "appearance". "Semblance" usually suggests that the appearance is only partial, not fully real, or may hide something different. For neutral situations, "appearance" is often better.
Синоніми
appearance (More general and neutral; does not always suggest that the appearance may be false or incomplete.)
|
façade (Usually stronger; clearly suggests a false or carefully built front that hides an unpleasant reality.)
|
pretense (Focuses more on deliberate pretending than on visual or surface appearance.)
Антоніми
reality (Emphasizes what is actually true, in contrast with how something merely seems.)
|
substance (Stresses the real, important part of something, rather than its surface look.)
Словосполучення
a semblance of order
|a semblance of normalcy
|a semblance of control
|give the semblance of
|maintain a semblance of
|retain some semblance of
Теми
perception
|society
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Приклади
- The polished lobby gave the crumbling building a semblance of luxury.
- His calm voice created a semblance of confidence, even though he was terrified inside.
- The government’s careful messaging preserved a semblance of unity despite deep internal conflicts.
- The handwritten signs and candles gave the protest a semblance of ceremony.
- Her smile lent a semblance of warmth to an otherwise cold meeting.
Навчальні приклади
- The lights and music gave the small party a semblance of glamour.
- He tried to keep a semblance of calm, but his hands were shaking.
- The clean front room gave the house a semblance of order, though the back rooms were a mess.
- The company website gives a semblance of success, but they are losing money.
- The friendly posters gave the office a semblance of welcome.
Іменник
formal
C1
quantity
2
small, basic amount of something
A small amount of something, just enough so you can still say it is that thing.
Модель уживання:
a semblance of [abstract noun]
Поширена помилка:
Learners may confuse "semblance" with words like "sample" or "symbol" because of similar sounds. Also, some use it for countable things (e.g. *"a semblance of apples"*), but it normally goes with abstract nouns like "order", "stability", or "normalcy".
Синоніми
trace (Emphasizes a very tiny amount; does not carry the same formal tone as "semblance".)
|
shred (Informal and vivid; often used for emotions or abstract things (e.g. "a shred of hope").)
|
hint (Suggests a light sign of something, often weaker and less formal than "semblance".)
Антоніми
abundance (Opposite in amount; suggests a large quantity instead of a small or minimal one.)
|
lack (Emphasizes the complete absence of the quality, while "semblance" implies that at least a little of it remains.)
Словосполучення
a semblance of order
|a semblance of normal life
|a semblance of stability
|restore a semblance of
|any semblance of
|lose any semblance of
Теми
quantity
|society
|work
|core_vocabulary
Приклади
- The new manager finally brought a semblance of order to the chaotic office.
- After months of war, people were desperate for any semblance of normal life.
- Extra funding gave the project a semblance of stability.
- Strict routines helped her recover a semblance of control over her days.
- The compromise restored a semblance of peace between the two communities.
Навчальні приклади
- The teacher tried to create a semblance of calm in the noisy class.
- After the storm, they worked to bring a semblance of normal life back to the town.
- The rules gave the group a semblance of order.
- Her new job gave her a semblance of financial security.
- The schedule gave his days a semblance of structure.
Іменник
formal
C2
property
3
similarity or resemblance in appearance
The way two things look or seem alike.
Модель уживання:
[something] bears a semblance to [something]
Поширена помилка:
Learners sometimes use "semblance" by itself to mean "likeness" (e.g. *"There is a semblance between them"*). In this sense, it is more natural in fixed patterns like "bears a semblance to" or to use the more common word "resemblance".
Синоніми
resemblance (Very close in meaning; more common and slightly less formal than "semblance" in this sense.)
|
similarity (Broader and more general; not limited to appearance.)
Антоніми
difference (Neutral opposite; simply states that things are not alike.)
|
dissimilarity (More formal opposite; stresses the lack of likeness.)
Словосполучення
bear a semblance to
|some semblance to
|little semblance to
|no semblance to
|any semblance to
Теми
perception
|comparison
|core_vocabulary
Приклади
- The two reports bear only a faint semblance to each other.
- Her sketch bears a clear semblance to the finished painting.
- These cheap copies have little semblance to the original design.
- The film bears some semblance to the book but changes many key details.
- Their plan bears no semblance to what we agreed on.
Навчальні приклади
- The boy’s face bears a strong semblance to his father’s.
- This copy has little semblance to the real painting.
- The story in the movie bears some semblance to the real event.
- His drawing bears a clear semblance to the photo.
- Their idea bears no semblance to our first plan.
Граматика
Словникова форма
semblance
IPA
GB/sˈɛmbləns/
US/sˈɛmbləns/
Склади й наголос
semb - lance (2 склади)
Stress on 1st syllable (semb)
Форми слова
Noun
- Base: semblance
- Plural: semblances
Споріднені слова
Forms
semblances
noun
Core family
resemble
verb B1
resemblance
noun B1
Вирази
a semblance of normalcy
1/ə sˈɛmbləns əv nˈɔɹməlsi/
fixed phrase
formal
a limited return to normal life
A small or early return to usual daily life after something bad or strange has happened.
Приклади
- Schools reopening gave the town a semblance of normalcy after the flood.
- The routine of work provided a semblance of normalcy following the crisis.
a semblance of normality
1/ə sˈɛmbləns əv nˌɔɹmˈæləti/
fixed phrase
formal
a limited amount of normal conditions
A small return to usual life or usual conditions after they were changed or broken.
Приклади
- Police patrols helped restore a semblance of normality in the streets.
- Families tried to create a semblance of normality for their children during the conflict.
a semblance of order
1/ə sˈɛmbləns əv ˈɔɹdɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
a limited sense of order
A small or basic level of order in a place or situation that is mostly not organized.
Приклади
- It took hours to bring a semblance of order to the disaster site.
- Extra staff were called in to keep a semblance of order during the sale.
any semblance of
1/ˈɛni sˈɛmbləns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
any recognizable sign of something
Any clear sign or small amount of a quality, usually used to say that even this small sign is missing.
Приклади
- The argument quickly lost any semblance of politeness.
- The movie has no story and lacks any semblance of logic.
bear a semblance to
1/bˈɛɹ ə sˈɛmbləns tə/
fixed phrase
formal
be somewhat similar to
To look or seem a bit like something else.
Приклади
- The new logo bears a strong semblance to the old one.
- His early work bears little semblance to his later, more experimental films.
maintain a semblance of
1/meɪntˈeɪn ə sˈɛmbləns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
keep a small sign of something
To keep at least a small or basic amount of something, so it does not seem to disappear completely.
Приклади
- They worked hard to maintain a semblance of democracy during the emergency.
- Even during the merger, she tried to maintain a semblance of routine for her team.
without any semblance of
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˈɛni sˈɛmbləns əv/
fixed phrase
formal
with no sign of something
With no clear sign or amount of a quality at all.
Приклади
- The decision was taken without any semblance of consultation.
- He shouted at the staff without any semblance of respect.