showed off; shown off or showed off; showing off; shows off
: to display proudly
wanted to show our new car off
: to seek to attract attention by conspicuous behavior
boys showing off for the girls
Synonyms
Examples of show-off in a Sentence
Verb
the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started
she just wants to show off her new jewelry
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2023
But for untold millions, a show-off staircase is a slap.
—Curbed, 19 July 2023
Fortunately, Paul was greedy in creating her role as Bobby Flanagan, the show-off lawyer representing Josh in his trial for the murder of a cabaret singer.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 10 June 2023
These are the show-offs, the leaders, the people who are going to be on the cutting edge.
—Madison Feller, ELLE, 28 Apr. 2023
Underwater diving ability is the Huawei Watch Ultimate’s real show-off point.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Pansies are the larger, show-off versions of their small, dainty-looking viola cousins.
—Jeanne Ambrose, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
With family and friends visiting for the holidays, San Diegans can show off one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and its canyons on this short walk.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023
Emily Ratajkowski showed off the season's rich, banged brunette, as elsewhere, Hailey Bieber made a case for a saccharine palette of luminous pale pinks.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023
Daimler-Benz brought some electric cars to show off, while young activists brought a steamroller, to convey their opposition to cars.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2023
Thanks to its on-trend quarter zip to customize your ventilation and cropped fit to show off the rest of your outfit, this Vuori number is equal parts functional and fashionable.
—Marissa Miller, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023
Instead of opting for a silver or gold chrome, Hudgens showed off a set of delicious copper chrome nails.
—Melanie Paukner, Glamour, 17 Nov. 2023
In its ninth year, the neighborhood festival has more than 50 vendors and exhibitors showing off the community’s arts and food along Upshur and Ninth streets NW, including a maker’s market packed with art, candles and other giftable goods.
—Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Britney fans can show off their love for the singer with this fun and glittery Funko Pop, dressed in one of her most memorable all-red stage fits.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
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Noun
Molded traction keeps you on your feet even when the ground is wet, while colors range from sensible black to show-off pistachio frost or pulse yellow.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 24 Oct. 2023
But for untold millions, a show-off staircase is a slap.
—Curbed, 19 July 2023
Fortunately, Paul was greedy in creating her role as Bobby Flanagan, the show-off lawyer representing Josh in his trial for the murder of a cabaret singer.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 10 June 2023
These are the show-offs, the leaders, the people who are going to be on the cutting edge.
—Madison Feller, ELLE, 28 Apr. 2023
Underwater diving ability is the Huawei Watch Ultimate’s real show-off point.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023
Pansies are the larger, show-off versions of their small, dainty-looking viola cousins.
—Jeanne Ambrose, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2023
Verb
In another photo shared to her private account Monday, Charli XCX showed off the diamond ring in a casual selfie taken in her car.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 28 Nov. 2023
With family and friends visiting for the holidays, San Diegans can show off one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods and its canyons on this short walk.
—Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Nov. 2023
Emily Ratajkowski showed off the season's rich, banged brunette, as elsewhere, Hailey Bieber made a case for a saccharine palette of luminous pale pinks.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2023
Daimler-Benz brought some electric cars to show off, while young activists brought a steamroller, to convey their opposition to cars.
—Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2023
Thanks to its on-trend quarter zip to customize your ventilation and cropped fit to show off the rest of your outfit, this Vuori number is equal parts functional and fashionable.
—Marissa Miller, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023
Instead of opting for a silver or gold chrome, Hudgens showed off a set of delicious copper chrome nails.
—Melanie Paukner, Glamour, 17 Nov. 2023
In its ninth year, the neighborhood festival has more than 50 vendors and exhibitors showing off the community’s arts and food along Upshur and Ninth streets NW, including a maker’s market packed with art, candles and other giftable goods.
—Washington Post, 16 Nov. 2023
Britney fans can show off their love for the singer with this fun and glittery Funko Pop, dressed in one of her most memorable all-red stage fits.
—Anna Tingley, Variety, 16 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'show-off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1750, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Dictionary Entries Near show-off
Cite this Entry
“Show-off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show-off. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
show-off
1 of 2 nounˈshō-ˌȯf
1
: the act of showing off
2
: a person who shows off
show off
2 of 2 verb(ˈ)shō-ˈȯf
1
: to display proudly
2
: to try to attract attention by conspicuous behavior
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