show

Syllabification: (show)

Pronunciation: /SHō/

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Definition of show

verb (past participle shown /SHōn/ or showed)

1be or allow or cause to be visible: [no object]:wrinkles were starting to show on her face [no object, with complement]:the muscles of her jaws showed white through the skin [with object]:a white blouse will show the blood
[with object] offer, exhibit, or produce (something) for scrutiny or inspection:an alarm salesperson should show an ID card [with two objects]:he wants to show you all his woodwork stuff
[with object] put on display in an exhibition or competition:he ceased early in his career to show his work [no object]:other artists who showed there included Robert Motherwell
[with object] present (a movie or television program) on a screen for public viewing.
[no object] (of a movie) be presented on a screen for public viewing:a movie showing at the Venice Film Festival
[with object] indicate (a particular time, measurement, etc.):a travel clock showing the time in different cities
[with object] represent or depict in art:a postcard showing the Wicklow Mountains
(show oneself) allow oneself to be seen; appear in public:he was amazed that she would have the gall to show herself
[no object] informal arrive or turn up for an appointment or at a gathering:her date failed to show
[no object] finish third or in the first three in a race.
[no object] informal (of a woman) be visibly pregnant:Shirley was four months pregnant and just starting to show

2 [with object] display or allow to be perceived (a quality, emotion, or characteristic):it was Frank’s turn to show his frustration his sangfroid showed signs of cracking
accord or treat someone with (a specified quality):he urged his soldiers to fight them and show no mercy [with two objects]:he has learned to show women some respect
[no object] (of an emotion) be noticeable:he tried not to let his relief show

3 [with object] demonstrate or prove:experts say this shows the benefit of regular inspections [with clause]:the figures show that the underlying rate of inflation continues to fall
(show oneself) prove or demonstrate oneself to be: [with infinitive]:she showed herself to be a harsh critic [with complement]:he showed himself to be an old-fashioned Baptist separatist
cause to understand or be capable of doing something by explanation or demonstration:he showed the boy how to operate the machine
[with object] conduct or lead:show them in, please

noun

1a spectacle or display of something, typically an impressive one:spectacular shows of bluebells

2a public entertainment, in particular.
a play or other stage performance, especially a musical.
a program on television or radio.
[usually with adjective or noun modifier] an event or competition involving the public display or exhibition of animals, plants, or products:the annual agricultural show
informal an undertaking, project, or organization:I man a desk in a little office. I don’t run the show
informal an opportunity for doing something; a chance:I didn’t have a show

3an outward appearance or display of a quality or feeling:Joanie was frightened of any show of affection
an outward display intended to give a particular, false impression:Drew made a show of looking around for firewood they are all show and no go

4 Medicine a discharge of blood and mucus from the vagina at the onset of labor or menstruation.

Phrases

for show: for the sake of appearance rather than for use.
get (or keep) the show on the road: informal begin (or succeed in continuing with) an undertaking or enterprise:“Let’s get this show on the road—we’re late already.”
good (or bad or poor) show!: British informal dated used to express approval (or disapproval or dissatisfaction).
have something (or nothing) to show for: have a (or no) visible result of (one’s work or experience):a year later, he had nothing to show for his efforts
on show: being exhibited.
show one's cards: another way of saying show one's hand below.
show cause: Law produce satisfactory grounds for application of (or exemption from) a procedure or penalty.
show someone the door: dismiss or eject someone from a place.
show one's face: appear in public:she had been up in court and was so ashamed she could hardly show her face
show the flag: see flag¹.
show one's hand: (in a card game) reveal one’s cards.; disclose one’s plans:he needed hard evidence, and to get it he would have to show his hand
show of force: a demonstration of the forces at one’s command and of one’s readiness to use them.
show of hands: the raising of hands among a group of people to indicate a vote for or against something, with numbers typically being estimated rather than counted.
show the way: indicate the direction to be followed to a particular place.; indicate what can or should be done by doing it first:Morgan showed the way by becoming Deputy Governor of Jamaica

Phrasal Verbs

show something forth: archaic exhibit:the heavens show forth the glory of God
show off: informal make a deliberate or pretentious display of one’s abilities or accomplishments.
show someone/something off: display or cause others to take notice of someone or something that is a source of pride:his jeans were tight-fitting, showing off his compact figure
show out: Bridge reveal that one has no cards of a particular suit.
show someone around: act as a guide for someone to points of interest in a place or building.
show through: (of one’s real feelings) be revealed inadvertently.
show up
show someone/something up: make someone or something conspicuous or clearly visible:a rising moon showed up the wild seascape; expose someone or something as being bad or faulty in some way:it’s a pity they haven’t showed up the authorities for what they are; (show someone up) informal embarrass or humiliate someone:she says I showed her up in front of her friends

Origin:

Old English scēawian 'look at, inspect', from a West Germanic base meaning 'look'; related to Dutch schouwen and German schauen

show in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of show in the British & World English dictionary

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show

verb (past participle shown /SHōn/ or showed)

noun

Phrases

for show

get (or keep) the show on the road

good (or bad or poor) show!

have something (or nothing) to show for

on show

show one's cards

show cause

show someone the door

show one's face

show the flag

show one's hand

show of force

show of hands

show the way

Phrasal Verbs

show something forth

show off

show someone/something off

show out

show someone around

show through

show up

show someone/something up

Origin:

show in other Oxford dictionaries

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