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show definition

show (s̸hō)

transitive verb showed, shown or showed, showing show′·ing

  1. to bring or put in sight or view; cause or allow to appear or be seen; make visible; exhibit; display
    1. to enter (animals, flowers, etc.) in a competitive show
    2. to exhibit (paintings, sculpture, etc.), as in a gallery
  3. to guide; conduct to show a guest to a room
  4. to direct to another's attention; point out to show the sights to visitors
  5. to reveal, manifest, or make evident (an emotion, condition, quality, etc.) by behavior or outward sign
  6. to exhibit or manifest (oneself or itself) in a given character, condition, etc. to show oneself to be reliable
  7. to open (a house, apartment, etc.) to prospective buyers or renters
  8. to make evident by logical procedure; explain or prove to show that something is right
  9. to make clear by going through a procedure; demonstrate to show how to tie a bowknot
  10. to register; indicate a clock shows the time
  11. to grant or bestow (favor, kindness, mercy, etc.)
  12. Law to allege; plead to show cause

Etymology: ME schewen < OE sceawian, akin to Ger schauen, to look at < IE base *(s)keu-, to notice, heed > L cavere, to beware, OE hieran, to hear

intransitive verb

  1. to be or become seen or visible; appear
    1. to be apparent or noticeable a scratch that hardly shows
    2. to be visibly pregnant five months pregnant and still not showing
  3. to have a given appearance; appear to show to good effect
  4. ☆ to finish third or better in a horse race or dog race
  5. Informal to come or arrive as expected; make an appearance
  6. Theater to give a performance; appear

noun

  1. a showing, demonstration, or manifestation a show of passion
  2. a display or appearance, specif. a colorful or striking one
  3. spectacular, pompous display; ostentation
  4. an indication of the presence of metal, coal, oil, etc. in the earth; trace
  5. something false or superficial; semblance; pretense sorrow that was mere show
  6. a person or thing looked upon as peculiar, ridiculous, laughable, etc.; spectacle; sight
  7. a public display or exhibition, as of art, animals, flowers, automobiles, etc.
  8. a presentation of entertainment, as a theatrical production, TV program, film, etc.
  9. ☆ third position at the finish of a horse race or dog race
  10. Informal any undertaking, matter, or affair

adjective

of or having to do with a show ( or ), specif. a Broadway or Hollywood musical a medley of show tunes
show Idioms

for show

in order to attract notice or attention

good show!

Chiefly Brit. an exclamation of appreciation and congratulations on another's accomplishment

put the show on the road

or get the show on the road
Slang to set things in operation; start an activity, venture, etc.

show in (or out)

to usher into (or out of) a given place

show off

  1. to make a display of; exhibit in a showy manner
  2. to behave in a manner intended to attract attention

show up

  1. to bring or come to light; expose or be exposed, as faults
  2. to be clearly seen; stand out
  3. to come; arrive; make an appearance
  4. Informal to surpass in intelligence, performance, etc.

stand a show

or have a show☆
Informal to have a chance, esp. a remote one

steal the show

to become the main focus of attention, plaudits, etc., esp. if in a subordinate role or position

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms show idiom

medical show definition - medical

show Synonyms

show

n.

  1. An exhibition

    presentation, exhibit, art exhibit, retrospective, showing, exposition, occurrence, sight, appearance, program, flower show, boat show, home show, dog show, cat show, bringing before the public, bringing to public view; see also display 2.

  2. A public performance

    film, play, musical, carnival, representation, burlesque, production, appearance, concert, act, pageant, spectacle, light show, entertainment; see also comedy, drama 1, movie.

  3. Pretense

    sham, make believe, semblance; see pretense 1, 2.

for show

for sake of appearances, ostensibly, ostentatiously; see apparently, pompously.

get<strong> or </strong>put the show on the road*

start, open, get started; see begin 1.

stand<strong> or </strong>have a show*

stand a chance, have a chance, be possible, admit of; see allow 1, 2.

steal the show*

triumph, get the best of it, win out, be the focus of attention; see defeat 1, 3, win 1.


show

v.

  1. To display

    display, exhibit, manifest, present, expose, flaunt; see also display 1.

  2. To explain

    reveal, tell, explicate; see explain.

  3. To demonstrate

    attest, determine, confirm; see prove.

  4. To convince

    teach, prove to, persuade; see convince.

  5. To grant

    confer, bestow, dispense; see give 1.

  6. To indicate

    register, note, point; see designate 1, record 1.

show implies putting or bringing something into view so that it can be seen or looked at show us the garden; to display something is to spread it out so that it is shown to advantage jewelry displayed on a sales counter; exhibit implies prominent display, often for the purpose of attracting public attention or inspection to exhibit products at a fair; expose implies the laying open and displaying of something, often unpleasant or objectionable, that has been covered or concealed this bathing suit exposes the scar, to expose his shady dealings; flaunt implies an ostentatious, impudent, or defiant display to flaunt one's riches, vices, etc.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

show Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • steal: Marilyn Moore as his fiancée, Miss Adelaide, all but stole the show with her constant struggle to tame her man.

Adjective modifier

  • live: Graham Coxon To Release Live CD Graham Coxon is planning on releasing a live CD of his live show at the Astoria in October.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • through: It lets through starlight but gas and dust surrounding these stars does not show through.

Followed by a transitive particle

  • off: Show off the garden ( and the new fancy bbq!

Used with why or when

  • where: It will also show where the order was requested to be sent and when the order was originally placed.

Noun used with modifier

  • TV: It rings alarm bells when you look at the way some gaming TV shows have turned out.
show usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

show quotes

There's No Business Like Show Business.

-Berlin, Irving originally Israel Baline

   The opening-night audience is mostly friends of the cast and backers of the show, and they cometo applaud their money.

-Hirschfeld, Al

   Show me a sane man and I will cure him for you.

-Jung, Carl Gustav

show quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"show." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/show>

APA Style

show. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/show

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