for show
idiom
1
: intended to be seen but not used or bought
We're not supposed to eat the fruit on the table. It's just for show.
2
disapproving
: done in order to gain the approval or favor of others
He says he enjoys classical music, but it's only for show.
Examples of for show in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But Lieutenant Dan’s fame isn’t just for show.
—
Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Radzymiński, who has served as Managing Director since 2001, was known for show such as Idol, the long-running Between Friends, Farmer Wants a Wife, Family Feud, Poland’s Got Talent and Rhythm+Flow.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Technology here is not displayed for show but placed at the service of academic rigor and patient safety.
—Dr. Victor Raúl Castillo Mantilla, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Now might be the time to mention that Scott doesn’t wear that tool belt just for show.
—Catherine Hong, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for for show
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Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2025
Radzymiński, who has served as Managing Director since 2001, was known for show such as Idol, the long-running Between Friends, Farmer Wants a Wife, Family Feud, Poland’s Got Talent and Rhythm+Flow.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 31 Oct. 2025
Technology here is not displayed for show but placed at the service of academic rigor and patient safety.
—Dr. Victor Raúl Castillo Mantilla, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Now might be the time to mention that Scott doesn’t wear that tool belt just for show.
—Catherine Hong, Architectural Digest, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for for show
Cite this Entry
“For show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20show. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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