showboat

verb

showboated; showboating; showboats
Synonyms of showboatnext

intransitive verb

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

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 on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
After taking a 3-1 lead in extra time, France began to showboat. Peter Carline, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2026 This year showboats a trio of headliners that represent musical innovation and the contagious spirit of dance. Malik Peay, Essence, 12 June 2025 One thing that took away from Santos' performance was his willingness to showboat instead of looking for a finish. Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 3 Sep. 2024 Not even the biggest skeptic of American exceptionalism could deny the talent gap, which has often been so considerable that U.S. teams often take the opportunity to showboat during games, like the Harlem Globetrotters playing against the hapless Washington Generals. Vulture Editors, Vulture, 31 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for showboat

Word History

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of showboat was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Showboat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showboat. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

showboat

noun
show·​boat
ˈshō-ˌbōt
: a river steamboat used as a traveling theater

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