showboat

noun show·boat \ ˈshō-ˌbōt \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of showboat

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

See showboat defined for English-language learners

See showboat defined for kids

Examples of showboat in a Sentence

The fans like him, but the other players think he's a showboat.

Recent Examples of showboat from the Web

Congress, in both parties, is increasingly the province of showboats who compensate for their many deficiencies through loud talk, audacious claims and, always, partisan invective.

— chris stirewalt, Fox News, "Our awful Congress," 11 Apr. 2018
His failed showboat dunk from early in the season was reason enough to get some dunking lessons.

— andrew joseph, USA TODAY, "Steph Curry roasted himself after Newton's TD dunk," 5 Nov. 2017
Created by Mark Burnett, the show began airing in 2004, revitalizing and popularizing Trump’s image as a tough, no-nonsense, affably pompous, and mercurial showboat businessman.

— willa paskin, Slate Magazine, "The New Celebrity Apprentice Will Make You Pine for a President Schwarzenegger," 3 Jan. 2017
Despite the game being stopped, Curry continued towards the basket to throw down a showboat dunk just for fun.

— andrew joseph, USA TODAY, "Curry tried to showboat and embarrassed himself," 26 Oct. 2017
Rickles, ever the showboat, used to roast De Niro on a daily basis on the set, which would always make the crew laugh.

— yohana desta, HWD, "Watch Don Rickles Roast Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese in His Final Project," 25 Sep. 2017
Pogba is undoubtedly a magnificent player but does love to showboat.

— SI.com, "Angry Manchester United Fans Hit Back at Graeme Souness Following Comments About Paul Pogba," 13 Sep. 2017
That would be the bellowing showboat Khalif, who spews venom into the faces of stone-faced police officers in public, knowing they are prohibited from even twitching.

— stu bykofsky, Philly.com, "City protest directive surrenders to Asa Khalif," 28 Aug. 2017
The city owns the showboat and does not fly a confederate flag.

— david bailey, Detroit Free Press, "Showboat in Michigan to lose its Robert E. Lee moniker after petition," 17 Aug. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'showboat.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of showboat

1839

showboat

verb

Definition of showboat

intransitive verb

: to behave in a conspicuous or ostentatious manner : show off

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showboater

noun

See showboat defined for English-language learners

Examples of showboat in a Sentence

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 of showboat from the Web

This showboating behavior is irresponsible, reckless, & potentially dangerous.

— Fox News, "Tennessee college senior defends posing for graduation picture with gun in her waistband," 10 Apr. 2018
Olmert describes Barak as a formalistic, showboating defense minister unwilling to take a firm yes or no position on launching a bombing even while claiming credit.

— noga tarnopolsky, latimes.com, "Israel's disclosure that it struck a Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007 ignites a debate over censorship and security," 22 Mar. 2018
Borussia Dortmund youngster Jadon Sancho has admitted to being reprimanded by Marcel Schmelzer and Vincent Kompany in the past for showboating in training.

— SI.com, "Dortmund Winger Jadon Sancho Admits to Being Told Off by Club Captains for Nutmegging Teammates," 20 Mar. 2018
Comedians Kinsey and Beatriz play their parts looser, like back-up singers free to showboat on the mic.

— amy nicholson, chicagotribune.com, "'Half Magic' review: Heather Graham casts a spell in her writing-directing debut," 22 Feb. 2018
He was also accused of showboating in the same match.

— SI.com, "PSG Keeper Kevin Trapp Defends 'Leader' Neymar From 'Arrogant' Claims," 11 Feb. 2018
Cedi Osman, bless his soul, tried to showboat on a breakaway dunk after a steal and bricked it.

— joe vardon, cleveland.com, "Cavaliers, younger and fresher, trounce Celtics 121-99 on Paul Pierce's jersey retirement day," 11 Feb. 2018
This time Fischer held back for no one, laying on so thick an orchestral accompaniment that Thibaudet had one option only — to showboat.

— mark swed, latimes.com, "With Charles Dutoit out, London's Royal Philharmonic tries a Swiss conductor — and has a blast," 26 Jan. 2018
These resignations were just showboating by individuals upset with President Trump and Secretary Zinke.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Readers write: Letters to the editor, January 19, 2018," 19 Jan. 2018

First Known Use of showboat

1937

showboat Synonyms

Synonyms

act up, clown (around), cut up, fool around, horse around, hotdog, monkey (around), show off, skylark;

Related Words

carry on, misbehave;

roughhouse;

caper, cavort, disport, frisk, frolic, gambol, lark, rollick, romp;

carouse, revel, roar, wassail;

SHOWBOAT Defined for English Language Learners

showboat

noun

Definition of showboat for English Language Learners

: a large boat that has a theater and a group of performers and that gives plays at towns and cities along a river
: a person (such as an athlete) who behaves or performs in a way that is meant to attract the attention of a lot of people