show up

verb

showed up; shown up or showed up; showing up; shows up

transitive verb

1
: to expose or discredit especially by revealing faults
showed them up as frauds
… it showed him up for the irrelevant and offensive person he really is …Owen Bennett
2
: to embarrass or cause to look bad especially by comparison
trying to show up the boss
The offensive line has been sub par with the defensive line showing them up for at least a few days.James Anderson
3
: reveal
showed up my ignorance

intransitive verb

1
a
: arrive, appear
showed up late for his own wedding
Hundreds of tourists showed up, wearing bright sweaters, even though it was warm.Tony Earley
b
: to become involved with others and make an active contribution
But what we have to remind ourselves, and each other, is that our democracy only works for us if we show up.America Ferrera
also : to provide help and support for someone
If you're in a position to defend and protect someone who is a victim of abuse, then do it … Show up for them. Sa'iyda Shabazz
2
: to be plainly evident
… [Woody Hayes] cared so much about people. That showed up in the way he did things in the community, the way he lent his name to charity events.Kyle Rowland

Examples of show up in a Sentence

normally, one doesn't see them, but the actress's wrinkles show up in the close-ups the band showed up an hour late
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Six of Wands card shows up to partner with this fiery Aries energy and remind you that victory is a state of mind. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 May 2025 And that trust is only possible when sellers show up not just as individuals but as collaborative forces who bring the full value of their organization to the table. Ray Makela, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025 The sargassum will show up on beaches in clumps when the tide is high and the wind is blowing from east to west, pushing the seaweed toward shore. Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 2025 Some of Lively's friends also showed up on the red carpet to show their support, including Emily Blunt, Blunt's brother-in-law Stanley Tucci, Hugh Jackman and Shawn Levy. Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for show up

Word History

First Known Use

1812, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of show up was in 1812

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Show up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show%20up. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

show up

verb
1
: to reveal the true nature of by uncovering faults : expose
were shown up for the fools they really are
2
: to be where one is expected to be : arrive
showed up on time

Legal Definition

showup

noun
show·​up
ˈshō-ˌəp
: a presentation of a criminal defendant or arrestee individually to a witness for identification compare lineup

Note: A showup identification may withstand a due process challenge when there is an emergency situation, when the presentation is accidental, or when otherwise the totality of the circumstances render it justifiable.

More from Merriam-Webster on show up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!