What does reappearing mean?
Reappearing means appearing again after a period of absence, disappearance, or concealment. The word is especially useful for describing something that returns to view or attention: a person may reappear, a problem may reappear, or an old design or sign may reappear in a familiar setting. It often suggests that the return is noticeable, unexpected, or significant, although it can also describe an ordinary recurrence. In sentences, reappearing works as the present participle of reappear, commonly accompanying forms of the verb be, as in “the symptoms were reappearing.” As an attributive modifier, it can identify a recurring person, object, or issue, such as “a reappearing concern.” The word is neutral in register and standard in both British and American English.
verb (present participle of reappear)Appearing again after having disappeared, gone out of view, or been absent.
- Appearing again after having disappeared, gone out of view, or been absent.
"The old sign reappeared over the entrance just before the building reopened."
"The issue reappeared during the final stages of the project."
"A familiar face reappeared at the conference after many years away."
Some things vanish for years, then reappear exactly where they were left, as if they had been waiting for their cue.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of reappearing
The word is formed by combining the prefix re-, meaning again, with appear. Appear comes through Old French from Latin apparere, meaning to become visible or come to light. The prefixed form reappear developed by adding the sense of returning or coming into view again. Related words such as appearance, apparition, and disappearance belong to the same lexical family.
Related word forms
How reappearing is actually used
As the present participle of reappear, it can follow the linking verb be or function attributively before a noun. It is common in formal and informal English alike.