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
2. 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
2. 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