show

1 of 2

verb

ˈshō 

showed ˈshōd  ; shown ˈshōn  or showed; showing

transitive verb

1

: to cause or permit to be seen : exhibit

showed pictures of the baby

2

: to offer for sale

stores were showing new spring suits

3

: to present as a public spectacle : perform

4

: to reveal by one's condition, nature, or behavior

showed themselves to be cowards

5

: to give indication or record of

an anemometer shows wind speed

6

a

: to point out : direct attention to

showed the view from the terrace

b

: conduct, usher

showed me to an aisle seat

7

: accord, bestow

shows them no mercy

8

a

: to set forth : declare

b

: allege, plead

—used especially in law

show cause

9

a

: to demonstrate or establish by argument or reasoning

show a plan to be faulty

b

: inform, instruct

showed me how to solve the problem

10

: to present (an animal) for judging in a show

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be or come in view

a notification showed on the screen

b

: to put in an appearance

failed to show

2

a

: to appear in a particular way

anger showed in their faces

b

: seem, appear

3

a

: to give a theatrical performance

b

: to be staged or presented

The movie is now showing [=playing] in local theaters.

4

a

: to appear as a contestant

b

: to present an animal in a show

5

: to finish third or at least third (as in a horse race)

6

: to exhibit one's artistic work

showable

ˈshō-ə-bəl 

adjective

show

2 of 2

noun

1

: an act or instance of showing or displaying something

voted by a show of hands

: as

a

: a demonstrative display

a show of military strength

Thousands gathered in a show of support.

b

: an outward demonstration or sign (as of one's feelings)

a show of affection

bowed in a show of respect

also : pretense

made a show of friendship

His sympathy is all show.

Her outrange was purely for show. [=was not genuine]

c

: a display intended to impress

doesn't make a show of her abilities

… the jars of preserves lining the shelves aren't just for show. [=they are meant to be used]

—Kosa Monteith

2

archaic : outward appearance

… their suspicion that the wizard, with all his show of manly beauty, was really an aged and wizened figure …

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

3

: chance sense 2

gave him a show in spite of his lack of experience

4

: something exhibited especially for wonder or ridicule : spectacle

a carnival show

5

a

: a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse interest or stimulate sales

the national auto show

Her paintings are on show at the gallery.

b

: a competitive exhibition of animals (such as dogs) to demonstrate quality in breeding

6

a

: a theatrical presentation

a Broadway show

b

: a regularly distributed program (as on radio, television, or the Internet)

She likes to watch "Unwrapped," a Food Network show that goes behind the scenes in the food industry.

—Ashley Barron

A month ago, the only podcast was "Trade Secrets," a daily news and technology talk show co-hosted by podcasting's pioneers: former MTV VJ Adam Curry and software developer Dave Winer.

—Wayne Glowka et al.

also : a single episode of such a program

I've got time to watch one more show.

—Michael Schneider

c

: a public performance

The band put on a good show.

7

: enterprise, affair

—usually used in the phrase run the show

The bean counters are running the show. [=are in charge]

—Walter Kiechel III

8

: third place at the finish (as of a horse race)

9

often Show : the major leagues in baseball

—used with the

Phrases

show one's hand or less commonly show one's cards

1

: to display one's cards faceup

2

: to declare one's intentions or reveal one's resources

show one the door

: to tell someone to get out

also : fire sense 2b

Synonyms of show

Verb

• display
• exhibit
• unveil

Noun

• display
• demonstration

Choose the Right Synonym for show

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

show, manifest, evidence, evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make apparent.

show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words.

careful not to show his true feelings

manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation.

manifested musical ability at an early age

evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something.

a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs.

evinced not the slightest fear

demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling.

demonstrated their approval by loud applause

Examples of show in a Sentence

Verb

You have to show your tickets at the gate.

You're the only person that I've shown this letter to.

They showed the theory to be faulty.

You will have to show me how to play the game.

He showed them a card trick.

Definitions tell you the meanings of words; examples show you how the words are used.

Noun

She was the star of the show.

The band always puts on a good show.

a show of his early paintings

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Originally designed for athletes, the staple style is as comfortable and easy to wear as it is polished — and Julianne Moore just showed us the simplest way to dress up a classic black sweater for dinners, work, or events this season. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025

Nonetheless, the big picture shows a dramatic shift to board chairs separate from the CEO over the past 35 years. —Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

Noun

Also in the final moments of the show, Geralt is finally knighted after the Battle of the Bridge, and Emhyr sends out a mysterious monster to follow his scent and kill him. —Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025

The artist, whose full name is Christopher Chahn Bahng, joined Fendi’s centenary celebration in Milan a month later, sitting front row at the brand’s fall 2025 runway show. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English shewen, showen, from Old English scēawian to look, look at, see; akin to Old High German scouwōn to look, look at, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on one's guard

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing show

• air show
• all show
• a show of hands
• chat show
• dog and pony show
• dumb show
• fashion show
• floor show
• for show
• freak show
• game show
• get the/this show on the road
• goes on show
• go to show/prove
• horror show
• horse show
• ice show
• light show
• medicine show
• no-show
• on show
• peep show
• pre-show
• Punch-and-Judy show
• put on show
• quiz show
• raree-show
• road show
• run the whole show
• show (a lot of) promise
• show-and-tell
• show bill
• show business
• show dog
• show jumping
• show-me
• show no mercy
• show no sign/signs of
• show off
• show of strength
• show oneself
• show one's face
• show one's mettle
• show one's stuff
• show one's true colors
• show ring
• show runner
• show/see (someone) to the door
• show signs of
• show someone
• show (someone) around
• show (someone) in
• show (someone) out
• show (someone) round
• show (someone) who's boss
• show/teach (someone) a trick or two
• show trial
• show tune
• show up
• show willing
• show window
• slide show
• sound-and-light show
• talent show
• talk show
• the show must go on
• trade show
• variety show

Rhymes for show

• beau
• beaux
• blow
• boe
• bro
• coe
• crow
• doe
• doh
• dough
• eau
• eaux

Kids Definition

show

1 of 2 verb

ˈshō 

showed; shown ˈshōn  or showed; showing

1

: to place in sight : present so as to be seen

2

: reveal sense 2

showed strong feeling

3

: to give from or as if from a position of authority

we'll show them no mercy

4

: teach sense 1, instruct

showed me a few chords on the guitar

5

: prove sense 2a

that shows we're right

6

: to give indication or record of

his grades show some improvement

7

: usher entry 2 sense 1, guide

showed them to a seat

8

: to be noticeable

the patch hardly shows

the determination showed in her face

9

: to present (an animal) for judging in a show

10

: to be third or at least third (as in a horse race)

show

2 of 2 noun

1

: a display made for effect

a show of strength

2

a

: a false outward appearance

made a show of friendship

b

: a true indication : sign

a show of reason

3

: a ridiculous spectacle

4

: an entertainment or exhibition especially by performers (as on TV or the stage)

5

: a competitive exhibition (as of animals) to demonstrate quality

6

: third place at the finish (as of a horse race)

Medical Definition

show

noun

ˈshō 

1

: a discharge of mucus streaked with blood from the vagina at the onset of labor

2

: the first appearance of blood in a menstrual period

Legal Definition

show

transitive verb

showed; shown or showed; showing

: to demonstrate or establish by argument, reasoning, or evidence

must show a compelling need for the court action