showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē 

showier; showiest

1

: making an attractive show : striking

a showy orchid

2

: given to or marked by a flashy often tasteless display

showily

ˈshō-ə-lē 

adverb

showiness

ˈshō-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• arresting
• bodacious
• bold
• brilliant
• catchy
• commanding
• conspicuous
• dramatic
• emphatic
• eye-catching
• flamboyant
• grabby
• kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish]
• marked
• noisy
• noticeable
• prominent
• pronounced
• remarkable
• splashy
• striking

Choose the Right Synonym for showy

showy, pretentious, ostentatious mean given to excessive outward display.

showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

Examples of showy in a Sentence

Perhaps you should wear something a little less showy.

orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers

Recent Examples on the Web

After the composer’s death, a hokey big operatic ending got tacked on with a showy duet by a second-rate composer, Franco Alfano. —Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Try mixing in a few showy varieties such as Purple Mizuna, Flashy Trout Back, and Rossa Ricciolina tucked in with alliums to keep pests away from tender leaves. —Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 6 June 2024

However, in order to fully account for Shetty’s more showy performance, the frame doesn’t just grow wider, but becomes more distant. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 17 May 2024

If the flavors get your seal of approval, try freezing them in ice cubes for the prettiest cocktails around or incorporate them into one of our showy recipes. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē 

showier; showiest

1

: attracting attention : striking

showy blossoms

2

: given to or marked by much outward display : gaudy

showy jewelry

showily

ˈshō-ə-lē 

adverb

showiness

ˈshō-ē-nəs 

noun