show

1 of 2

verb

showed ˈshōd How to pronounce show (audio) ; shown ˈshōn How to pronounce show (audio) or showed; showing

transitive verb

1
: to cause or permit to be seen : exhibit
showed pictures of the baby
2
: to offer for sale
stores were showing new spring suits
3
: to present as a public spectacle : perform
4
: to reveal by one's condition, nature, or behavior
showed themselves to be cowards
5
: to give indication or record of
an anemometer shows wind speed
6
a
: to point out : direct attention to
showed the view from the terrace
b
: conduct, usher
showed me to an aisle seat
7
: accord, bestow
shows them no mercy
8
a
: to set forth : declare
b
: allege, plead
used especially in law
show cause
9
a
: to demonstrate or establish by argument or reasoning
show a plan to be faulty
b
: inform, instruct
showed me how to solve the problem
10
: to present (an animal) for judging in a show

intransitive verb

1
a
: to be or come in view
3:15 showed on the clock
b
: to put in an appearance
failed to show
2
a
: to appear in a particular way
anger showed in their faces
b
3
a
: to give a theatrical performance
b
: to be staged or presented
4
a
: to appear as a contestant
b
: to present an animal in a show
5
: to finish third or at least third (as in a horse race)
6
: to exhibit one's artistic work
showable adjective

show

2 of 2

noun

often attributive
1
: a demonstrative display
a show of strength
2
a
archaic : outward appearance
b
: a false semblance : pretense
made a show of friendship
c
: a more or less true appearance of something : sign
d
: an impressive display
his role as househusband … was purely for showJohn Lahr
3
: chance sense 2
gave him a show in spite of his background
4
: something exhibited especially for wonder or ridicule : spectacle
5
a
: a large display or exhibition arranged to arouse interest or stimulate sales
the national auto show
b
: a competitive exhibition of animals (such as dogs) to demonstrate quality in breeding
6
a
: a theatrical presentation
b
: a regularly distributed program (as on radio, television, or the Internet)
She likes to watch "Unwrapped," a Food Network show that goes behind the scenes in the food industry.Ashley Barron
A month ago, the only podcast was "Trade Secrets," a daily news and technology talk show co-hosted by podcasting's pioneers: former MTV VJ Adam Curry and software developer Dave Winer.Wayne Glowka et al.
also : a single episode of such a program
I've got time to watch one more show. Michael Schneider
7
: enterprise, affair
they ran the whole show
8
: third place at the finish (as of a horse race)
9
often capitalized : the major leagues in baseball
used with the
Phrases
show one's hand or less commonly show one's cards
1
: to display one's cards faceup
2
: to declare one's intentions or reveal one's resources
show one the door
: to tell someone to get out
also : fire sense 2b
Choose the Right Synonym for show

show, exhibit, display, expose, parade, flaunt mean to present so as to invite notice or attention.

show implies no more than enabling another to see or examine.

showed her snapshots to the whole group

exhibit stresses putting forward prominently or openly.

exhibit paintings at a gallery

display emphasizes putting in a position where others may see to advantage.

display sale items

expose suggests bringing forth from concealment and displaying.

sought to expose the hypocrisy of the town fathers

parade implies an ostentatious or arrogant displaying.

parading their piety for all to see

flaunt suggests a shameless, boastful, often offensive parading.

nouveaux riches flaunting their wealth

show, manifest, evidence, evince, demonstrate mean to reveal outwardly or make apparent.

show is the general term but sometimes implies that what is revealed must be gained by inference from acts, looks, or words.

careful not to show his true feelings

manifest implies a plainer, more immediate revelation.

manifested musical ability at an early age

evidence suggests serving as proof of the actuality or existence of something.

a commitment evidenced by years of loyal service

evince implies a showing by outward marks or signs.

evinced not the slightest fear

demonstrate implies showing by action or by display of feeling.

demonstrated their approval by loud applause

Examples of show in a Sentence

Verb You have to show your tickets at the gate. You're the only person that I've shown this letter to. They showed the theory to be faulty. You will have to show me how to play the game. He showed them a card trick. Definitions tell you the meanings of words; examples show you how the words are used. Noun She was the star of the show. The band always puts on a good show. a show of his early paintings
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Young Americans have consistently shown support for Palestinians, according to Pew Research surveys, including in one poll issued in 2014, four years before TikTok launched in the United States. Taylor Lorenz, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The video showed Palmer, 30, impersonating Bassett's portrayal of Katherine Jackson in the 1992 miniseries The Jacksons: An American Dream. Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 Related article New map shows just how extreme last month was for the planet St Louis could see more than a 20-degree swing from the high 60s Saturday to the low 40s Monday. Allison Chinchar, CNN, 16 Mar. 2024 Grainy footage released by the military showed a truck on a pier approaching the barge. Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 16 Mar. 2024 Police dashcam video showed Melendez punched the motorist 16 times. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 There is a reason why NASA chose it as an exploration site: The mountain’s rock layers show a dramatic shift in climate, from one with abundant liquid water to the dry environment of today. Amy J. Williams, Discover Magazine, 16 Mar. 2024 The photographer also shared additional images of the hair appointment to his own Instagram page, showing the Super Bowl champ kick his feet up and smile during the experience. Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 Ancestry’s findings, which were announced Monday (March 4), show that both Swift and the poet — who was born in 1830 and passed away at 55 years old in 1886 — are descended from the same 17th century English immigrant. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
Quint Gallery: Taylor Chapin and Glen Wilson solo shows The La Jolla contemporary art gallery has two exciting solo showcases on the schedule. Seth Combs, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Mar. 2024 The show, set in the colorful Palm Beach high society circa 1960s, features Kristen Wiig, Kaia Gerber and Allison Janney. Faith Karimi, CNN, 17 Mar. 2024 Jill always brings excitement and energy to shows, motivating crews and getting the job done. Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024 The Bay Area job market was so feeble in 2023 that the region suffered brutal job losses for most of the year before employers mounted a massive hiring rebound in recent months, a new analysis shows. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 17 Mar. 2024 Many migrants never complete the application process after they are released from custody to await a court hearing, court data shows. Nick Miroff, Washington Post, 17 Mar. 2024 Nicki Minaj gave an exhilarating headlining performance on March 15, taking the stage for an almost-hour set that brought Gag City to Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium. Minaj, who is currently on her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, logged her sole L.A. show on the trek at Rolling Loud. Thania Garcia, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 Outside the fair, several collective shows have sprung up, most notably—and popularly—Alcova, a roving platform created in 2018 by two young designers looking for an alternative to the traditional design-fair model. Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2024 What Paris is doing shows what can be done to remake an old city for a new global climate. Catherine Porter, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'show.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English shewen, showen, from Old English scēawian to look, look at, see; akin to Old High German scouwōn to look, look at, and probably to Latin cavēre to be on one's guard

First Known Use

Verb

12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of show was in the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/show. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

show

1 of 2 verb
showed; shown ˈshōn How to pronounce show (audio) or showed; showing
1
: to place in sight : present so as to be seen
2
: reveal sense 2
showed strong feeling
3
: to give from or as if from a position of authority
we'll show them no mercy
4
: teach sense 1, instruct
showed me a few chords on the guitar
5
: prove sense 2a
that shows we're right
6
: to give indication or record of
his grades show some improvement
7
: usher entry 2 sense 1, guide
showed them to a seat
8
: to be noticeable
the patch hardly shows
the determination showed in her face
9
: to present (an animal) for judging in a show
10
: to be third or at least third (as in a horse race)

show

2 of 2 noun
1
: a display made for effect
a show of strength
2
a
: a false outward appearance
made a show of friendship
b
: a true indication : sign
a show of reason
3
: a ridiculous spectacle
4
: an entertainment or exhibition especially by performers (as on TV or the stage)
5
: a competitive exhibition (as of animals) to demonstrate quality
6
: third place at the finish (as of a horse race)

Medical Definition

show

noun
1
: a discharge of mucus streaked with blood from the vagina at the onset of labor
2
: the first appearance of blood in a menstrual period

Legal Definition

show

transitive verb
showed; shown or showed; showing
: to demonstrate or establish by argument, reasoning, or evidence
must show a compelling need for the court action

More from Merriam-Webster on show

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