show-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈshō-ˌȯf 

often attributive

1

: the act of showing off

2

: one that shows off : exhibitionist

show-offy

ˈshō-ˌȯ-fē 

adjective

show off

2 of 2

verb

showed off; shown off or showed off; showing off; shows off

transitive verb

: to display proudly

wanted to show our new car off

intransitive verb

: to seek to attract attention by conspicuous behavior

boys showing off for the girls

Synonyms of show-off

Verb

• horse around
• cut up
• fool around
• act up
• clown (around)
• monkey (around)

Examples of show-off in a Sentence

Verb

the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started

she just wants to show off her new jewelry

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sam got a little cocky, tried a show-off spin, got his bird legs tangled and took a tumble. — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2026

But there’s value to the subtle, occasional mention of an appropriate insider name, a gesture that’s more like a secret handshake than the work of an oafish show-off. — Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 25 Nov. 2025

Verb

Nicole Kidman is serving up the aesthetic blueprint for the ultimate European summer, from embracing power suiting in Wimbledon’s Royal Box to showing off her natural blonde curls while jet-setting out of Ibiza. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 18 July 2026

Norway’s star striker Erling Haaland, one of soccer’s most fashionable gents, showed off his namesake Breitling at a post-Cup reception in his home country. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 18 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1750, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for show-off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

show-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈshō-ˌȯf

1

: the act of showing off

2

: a person who shows off

show off

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)shō-ˈȯf

1

: to display proudly

2

: to try to attract attention by conspicuous behavior