1
: a river steamship containing a theater and carrying a troupe of actors to give plays at river communities
2
: one who tries to attract attention by conspicuous behavior
showboated; showboating; showboats
: to behave in a conspicuous or ostentatious manner : show off
showboater
noun
Examples of showboat in a Sentence
Noun
The fans like him, but the other players think he's a showboat.
Verb
She was showboating for the cameras when she tripped and fell.
the gymnast was showboating for the cameras when she lost her balance and fell
Recent Examples on the Web
Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The film, so enjoyably wacky at first, deflates and drifts to a stop like one of its showboat cars running on empty.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Jack Lang, New York Times, 18 June 2025
This year showboats a trio of headliners that represent musical innovation and the contagious spirit of dance.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for showboat
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Noun
Then: From Tootsie's Orchid Lounge being padlocked to the launch of the General Jackson showboat, take a look back at what was going on in Nashville and Middle Tennessee in April 1985.
—Laura L. Davis, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
The film, so enjoyably wacky at first, deflates and drifts to a stop like one of its showboat cars running on empty.
—Stephanie Bunbury, Deadline, 23 May 2025
Verb
Against the better judgment of Bosz, the PSV players had decided to showboat.
—Jack Lang, New York Times, 18 June 2025
This year showboats a trio of headliners that represent musical innovation and the contagious spirit of dance.
—Malik Peay, Essence, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for showboat
Cite this Entry
“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showboat. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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