showboat

noun

show·boat | \ ˈshō-ˌbōt

Definition of showboat

(Entry 1 of 2)

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

showboat

verb

showboated; showboating; showboats

Definition of showboat (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

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

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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: Noun

These rough-hewn showboats of the log drive are put together at the upper end of the river and follow the riverjacks downstream—tying up along the bank each night. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "The Lost Art of Floating Logs Down the River," 16 Feb. 2019 While the Democratic House anguished over articles of impeachment and wasted time on showboat-y oversight hearings, Trump could lament their obstruction and radicalism. — Chris Stirewalt, Fox News, "No, free market conservatives are not becoming Dems," 31 July 2018 Just like the living, ghosts can also be showboats. — Aliza Kelly Faragher, Allure, "A Beginner’s Guide to Communicating With Spirits on the Other Side," 19 June 2018 Yes, Weegee wasn’t only a showboat but a man with an eye for black humor. — Sarah Boxer, New York Times, "Weegee the Famous: The Master of Down-and-Dirty Street Photography," 1 June 2018 Built in 1908 by Greenwood businessman and mayor, Stage Marye, the 5,177-square-foot single-family home was designed to resemble the showboats that traversed the Yazoo and the mighty Mississippi. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, "For $65,000, This Once-Grand Mississippi Mansion is Now The Ultimate Fixer Upper," 16 Apr. 2018 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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

What did the six hours of Democratic hectoring, interrupting, demanding, insulting and showboating yield? — Karl Rove, WSJ, "Make Trump Popular Again," 13 Feb. 2019 Drew prefers ’70s funk to hip-hop, drives a retro van outfitted with an 8-track tape, and enjoys lecturing showboating youngsters about the fundamental unselfishness of the game, when played well. — David Sims, The Atlantic, "Uncle Drew: A Solid Piece of Branded Content," 29 June 2018 Once there, apparently to maintain the suspense, the showboating raccoon began moving around the 17th floor, rather than climbing or descending farther. — Andrea Park, Teen Vogue, "Raccoon Climbs 25 Stories to Reach Top of Minnesota Skyscraper," 13 June 2018 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

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.

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Last Updated

3 Mar 2019

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Time Traveler for showboat

The first known use of showboat was in 1839

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More Definitions for showboat

showboat

noun

English Language Learners Definition of showboat

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a large boat that has a theater and a group of performers and that gives plays at towns and cities along a river

chiefly US, informal + usually disapproving : 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

showboat

verb

English Language Learners Definition of showboat (Entry 2 of 2)

chiefly US, informal + usually disapproving : to behave or perform in a way that is meant to attract the attention of a lot of people

See the full definition for showboat in the English Language Learners Dictionary

showboat

noun

show·boat | \ ˈshō-ˌbōt