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

3:15 showed on the clock

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

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

often attributive

1

: a demonstrative display

a show of strength

2

a

archaic : outward appearance

b

: a false semblance : pretense

made a show of friendship

c

: a more or less true appearance of something : sign

d

: an impressive display

his role as househusband … was purely for show

—John Lahr

e

: ostentation

3

: chance sense 2

gave him a show in spite of his background

4

: something exhibited especially for wonder or ridicule : spectacle

5

a

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

the national auto show

b

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

6

a

: a theatrical presentation

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

: entertainment sense 1b(1)

7

: enterprise, affair

they ran the whole show

8

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

9

often capitalized : 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

Verb

• display
• disport
• exhibit
• expose
• flash
• flaunt
• lay out
• parade
• produce
• show off
• sport
• strut
• unveil

Noun

• demonstration
• display
• exhibition
• flaunting

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

Someone whose results show elevated levels may need a biopsy to rule out cancer. —Brenda Goodman, CNN Money, 20 May 2025

Phillip’s photo is not one of those shown as evidence. —Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 20 May 2025

Noun

Golden Gate Park, which sits in the city's center and was a magnet for rock and theater performances of all kinds in the '60s, will host three shows by Dead & Company – the name given to what remains of the original band plus current guests – at the park's Polo Fields Aug. 1, 2 and 3. —Marco Della Cava, USA Today, 22 May 2025

The recordings stem from the opening stop of Springsteen and the E Street Band’s 2025 run of shows, which kicked off with three nights in a row in the English city. —Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 21 May 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

15th 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
• shit-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 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