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
Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Makary was a no-show, two agency sources told STAT’s Lizzy Lawrence.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 May 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
The federal corruption probe The indictment alleges that Williamson conspired with former Becerra chief of staff Sean McCluskie and lobbyist Greg Campbell to funnel money to McCluskie in the form of a no-show job for his wife.
—Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 13 May 2026
Makary was a no-show, two agency sources told STAT’s Lizzy Lawrence.
—Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 11 May 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 18 May. 2026.
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