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
Though, as with all things in Alexander's life, the lines between what's true and what's for show are extremely blurred.
—
Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025
In the summer, spend a day at a public beach like the one at Meota Regional Park, which has a supervised swimming area, or at Jackfish Lake, which has a playground and a working lighthouse built purely for show as a tourism project in 1988.
—Billie Cohen, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for for show
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 25 Nov. 2025
In the summer, spend a day at a public beach like the one at Meota Regional Park, which has a supervised swimming area, or at Jackfish Lake, which has a playground and a working lighthouse built purely for show as a tourism project in 1988.
—Billie Cohen, AFAR Media, 6 Nov. 2025
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
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 1 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share