no-show

1 of 2

noun

ˈnō-ˌshō 

-ˈshō

1

: a person who reserves space (as on an airplane) but neither uses nor cancels the reservation

2

: a person who buys a ticket but does not attend

broadly : a person who is expected but who does not show up

3

: failure to show up

no-show

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or being a job for which the holder is paid but performs few duties or is rarely present for work

Examples of no-show in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As hearing notice times shrunk, that no-show rate doubled to 40% by this June, the organization said. — ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026

Like many of his teammates, Novak was something of a no-show in the first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers. — Josh Yohe, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Adjective

The Dodgers and Astros combined for a record eight home runs, and The Times’ story quoted a NASA climate scientist who noted that the marine layer was a no-show. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2026

Healthcare providers across the country report rising no-show rates for prenatal appointments. — Jallicia Jolly, The Conversation, 15 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective

1955, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for no-show

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau