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
: 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
Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Some nominees or honorees who are initially resistant eventually come around, like Dolly Parton; and some do not, like famous no-shows John Lydon and Todd Rundgren.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 4 June 2026
The defendants are charged with using union funds for salaries and benefits for no-show jobs, luxury international travel, fine dining, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for no-show
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Noun
Shop More Knix Bra Deals These no-show bikini-style underwear offer built-in leak protection with an ultra-thin liner that absorbs about as much as two and a half tampons or one regular pad.
—Jeaneen Russell, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
Some nominees or honorees who are initially resistant eventually come around, like Dolly Parton; and some do not, like famous no-shows John Lydon and Todd Rundgren.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
Jurors concluded that LaPierre and others diverted millions of dollars from the organization for personal travel and expenses, as well as no-show contracts used to buy people’s silence.
—Chloe Atkins, NBC news, 4 June 2026
The defendants are charged with using union funds for salaries and benefits for no-show jobs, luxury international travel, fine dining, vacation payouts and unauthorized loans.
—Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for no-show
Cite this Entry
“No-show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/no-show. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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