variety show

noun

: a theatrical entertainment of successive separate performances (as of songs, dances, skits, and acrobatic feats)

Examples of variety show in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Johnny Cash was a lot of things — devout Christian, country superstar, anti-Vietnam activist, variety show host. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 8 Sep. 2026

Saturday’s first day of the Emmys saw awards presented to unscripted series, variety shows and specials shows and variety specials, while Sunday’s show focuses on dramas, comedies and limited series. — Andrew Dalton, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2026

Over the years, Parton’s appearances on variety shows, specials, TV films and series tracked her evolution from simple country singer to full-service pop star. — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Oprah Winfrey reveals one of her fondest memories of Dolly Parton was in 1987, when Winfrey appeared on the variety show Dolly. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for variety show

• adagio
• altiplano
• arapaho
• arapahoe
• fortissimo
• manifesto
• minangkabau
• oregano
• ostinato
• pistachio
• politico
• portfolio

Kids Definition

variety show

noun

: entertainment made up of separate performances (as dances and songs) that follow one another