showboat

1 of 2

noun

show·​boat ˈshō-ˌbōt 

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

2 of 2

verb

showboated; showboating; showboats

intransitive verb

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

showboater noun

Synonyms

Verb

• show off
• cut up
• horse around
• revel
• hotdog
• clown (around)
• fool around
• roar
• act up

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

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

But some of the mayor’s advisers and allies pressed her to look elsewhere, describing Mr. Soboroff as a remnant of Los Angeles’s past with a reputation for being something of a showboat. —Shawn Hubler, New York Times, 11 Apr. 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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for showboat

• afloat
• azote
• banknote
• bareboat
• benzoate
• connote
• cutthroat
• demote
• denote
• devote
• endnote
• footnote

Kids Definition

showboat

noun

show·​boat

ˈshō-ˌbōt

: a river steamboat used as a traveling theater