English vocabulary · C2
Semblance
/ˈsem.bləns/ · n.
A semblance of home looks a little like home after loss. Things seem normal, but much is still missing.
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Example sentences
- They made a semblance of home.
- The cafe kept a semblance of life.
Word origin and roots
from Old French
- semblance — appearance (from Old French)
Synonyms and nuances
- APPEARANCE — an outward look (What seems to be)
- LIKENESS — a partial match (Some shared features)
- IMPRESSION — a first feeling (What it suggests)
Similar words
- appearance
- likeness
- resemblance
- trace
- impression
Lesson notes
A semblance of home looks a little like home after loss. Things seem normal, but much is still missing.
Related: appearance, likeness, impression. Use semblance when a trace looks real.
They made a semblance of home. The cafe kept a semblance of life.
From Old French. Semblance means appearance. English kept semblance unchanged. An appearance of home survives loss: semblance.