Vocabulary     

What does show mean?

Definitions for show
ʃoʊshow

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word show.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. shownoun

    the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining

    "a remarkable show of skill"

  2. display, shownoun

    something intended to communicate a particular impression

    "made a display of strength"; "a show of impatience"; "a good show of looking interested"

  3. shownoun

    a social event involving a public performance or entertainment

    "they wanted to see some of the shows on Broadway"

  4. appearance, showverb

    pretending that something is the case in order to make a good impression

    "they try to keep up appearances"; "that ceremony is just for show"

  5. show, demo, exhibit, present, demonstrateverb

    give an exhibition of to an interested audience

    "She shows her dogs frequently"; "We will demo the new software in Washington"

  6. prove, demonstrate, establish, show, shewverb

    establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment

    "The experiment demonstrated the instability of the compound"; "The mathematician showed the validity of the conjecture"

  7. testify, bear witness, prove, evidence, showverb

    provide evidence for

    "The blood test showed that he was the father"; "Her behavior testified to her incompetence"

  8. showverb

    make visible or noticeable

    "She showed her talent for cooking"; "Show me your etchings, please"

  9. picture, depict, render, showverb

    show in, or as in, a picture

    "This scene depicts country life"; "the face of the child is rendered with much tenderness in this painting"

  10. express, show, evinceverb

    give expression to

    "She showed her disappointment"

  11. indicate, point, designate, showverb

    indicate a place, direction, person, or thing; either spatially or figuratively

    "I showed the customer the glove section"; "He pointed to the empty parking space"; "he indicated his opponents"

  12. show, show upverb

    be or become visible or noticeable

    "His good upbringing really shows"; "The dirty side will show"

  13. read, register, show, recordverb

    indicate a certain reading; of gauges and instruments

    "The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero"; "The gauge read `empty'"

  14. showverb

    give evidence of, as of records

    "The diary shows his distress that evening"

  15. usher, showverb

    take (someone) to their seats, as in theaters or auditoriums

    "The usher showed us to our seats"

  16. showverb

    finish third or better in a horse or dog race

    "he bet $2 on number six to show"

Wiktionary

  1. shownoun

    A play, dance, or other entertainment.

  2. shownoun

    An exhibition of items.

  3. shownoun

    A demonstration.

    show of force

  4. shownoun

    A broadcast program/programme.

  5. shownoun

    A movie.

    Let's catch a show.

  6. shownoun

    Mere display with no substance

    The dog sounds ferocious but it's all show.

  7. shownoun

    A project or presentation.

  8. shownoun

    The major leagues.

    He played AA ball for years, but never made it to the show.

  9. showverb

    To display, to have somebody see (something).

  10. showverb

    To indicate (a fact) to be true; to demonstrate.

  11. showverb

    To guide or escort.

    Could you please show him on his way. He has overstayed his welcome.

  12. showverb

    To be visible, to be seen.

    Your bald patch is starting to show.

  13. showverb

    To put in an appearance; show up.

    We waited for an hour, but they never showed.

  14. showverb

    To have an enlarged belly and thus be recognizable as pregnant.

  15. showverb

    To finish third, especially of horses or dogs.

    In the third race: Aces up won, paying eight dollars; Blarney Stone placed, paying three dollars; and Cinnamon showed, paying five dollars.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Shownoun

    Etymology: from the verb.

    I do not know what she may produce me; but, provided it be a show, I shall be very well satisfied. Addison.

    The dwarf kept the gates of the show room. Arbuthnot.

    Mild heav’n
    Disapproves that care, though wise in show,
    That with superfluous burden loads the day. John Milton.

    Nor doth his grandeur and majestick show
    Of luxury, though call’d magnificence,
    Allure mine eye. John Milton, Par. Regain’d.

    Stand before her in a golden dream;
    Set all the pleasures of the world to show,
    And in vain joys let her loose spirits flow. Dryden.

    The radiant sun
    Sends from above ten thousand blessings down,
    Nor is he set so high for show alone. George Granville.

    Never was a charge, maintained with such a show of gravity, which had a slighter foundation. Francis Atterbury.

    The city itself makes the noblest show of any in the world: the houses are most of them painted on the outside, so that they look extremely gay and lively. Addison.

    Jesus, rising from his grave,
    Spoil’d principalities and pow’rs, triumph’d
    In open show, and with ascension bright
    Captivity led captive. John Milton.

    When devils will their blackest sins put on,
    They do suggest at first with heav’nly shows. William Shakespeare, Othello.

    He through pass’d the midst unmark’d,
    In show plebeian angel militant. John Milton.

    The places of Ezechiel have some show in them; for there the Lord commandeth the Levites, which had committed idolatry, to be put from their dignity, and serve in inferior ministries. John Whitgift.

    The kindred of the slain forgive the deed;
    But a short exile must for show precede. Dryden.

    Shall I say O Zelmane? Alas, your words be against it. Shall I say prince Pyrocles? Wretch that I am, your show is manifest against it. Philip Sidney.

    Fierce was the fight on the proud Belgians side,
    For honour, which they seldom sought before;
    But now they by their own vain boasts were ty’d,
    And forc’d, at least in shew, to prize it more. Dryden.

    I have a letter from her;
    The mirth whereof’s so larded with my matter,
    That neither singly can be manifested,
    Without the shew of both. William Shakespeare.

    As for triumphs, masks, feasts, and such shews, men need not be put in mind of them. Francis Bacon.

    What you saw was all a fairy show;
    And all those airy shapes you now behold,
    Were human bodies once. Dryden.

    Florio was so overwhelmed with happiness, that he could not make a reply, but expressed in dumb show those sentiments of gratitude that were too big for utterance. Addison.

  2. To SHOWverb

    pret. showed and shown; part. pass. shown.

    Etymology: sceawan , Saxon; schowen, Dutch.

    If I do feign,
    O let me in my present wildness die,
    And never live to shew th’ incredulous word
    The noble change that I have purposed. William Shakespeare, H. IV.

    Shew me a token for good, that they which hate me may see it. Ps. lxxxvi. 17.

    Wilt thou shew wonders to the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise thee? Ps. lxxxviii. 10.

    Men should not take a charge upon them that they are not fit for, as if singing, dancing, and shewing of tricks, were qualifications for a governor. Roger L'Estrange.

    This I urge to show
    Invalid that which thee to doubt it mov’d. John Milton.

    I’ll to the citadel repair,
    And show my duty by my timely care. Dryden.

    Achates’ diligence his duty shows. Dryden.

    Ye are a chosen generation, that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness. 1 Pet. ii.

    I raised thee up to shew in thee my power. Ex. ix. 16.

    I shall no more speak in proverbs, but shew you plainly of the Father. Jo. xvi. 25.

    Nothing wants but that thy shape may show
    Thy inward fraud. John Milton.

    She taking him for some cautious city patient, that came for privacy, shews him into the dining-room. Jonathan Swift.

    To him that is afflicted, pity should be shewed from his friend. Job. vi. 14.

    Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. Acts xxiv. 27.

    Thou shalt utterly destroy them; make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them. Deutr. vii. 2.

    Forasmuch as knowledge and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same, Daniel let him be called. Dan. v. 12.

    I’m sent to show thee what shall come. John Milton.

  3. To Showverb

    She shews a body rather than a life,
    A statue than a brother. William Shakespeare, Ant. and Cleopatra.

    Just such she shows before a rising storm. Dryden.

    Still on we press; and here renew the carnage,
    So great, that, in the stream, the moon show’d purple. Philips.

    My lord of York, it better shew’d with you,
    When that your flock assembled by the bell,
    Encircled you to hear with rev’rence
    Your exposition on the holy text,
    Than now to see you here an iron man,
    Cheering a rout of rebels with your drum. William Shakespeare, Henry IV.

Wikipedia

  1. Show

    "The Show is a song recorded by British girl group Girls Aloud for their second studio album, What Will the Neighbours Say? (2004). It was released by Polydor Records on 28 June 2004, as the lead single from the album. The song was written by Miranda Cooper, Brian Higgins, Lisa Cowling, Jon Shave, and Tim Powell. The synth rhythm, composed by Shave, represents a change in musical direction from the band's previous releases. "The Show" is an uptempo dance-pop and electropop song with elements of the 1990 rave records. "The Show" garnered a positive response from music critics, who deemed it another unique track produced by Xenomania, and it was considered one of the best songs of 2004 by The Times. It debuted and peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart, continuing the band's string of hits by becoming their fifth consecutive single to chart within the top three. The song also peaked inside the top ten in Ireland and certain European territories. In 2006, it charted at number 67 on Australia's singles chart. The accompanying music video was directed by Trudy Bellinger, and portrays the five members as characters working in a salon. To promote the song, Girls Aloud performed "The Show" at the 2004 Royal Variety Performance and at London gay nightclub G-A-Y. It was also performed on five of the group's concert tours.

ChatGPT

  1. show

    A show generally refers to a live or recorded performance, presentation, or exhibition intended for an audience. It can encompass various forms of entertainment such as theatrical productions, concerts, television programs, movies, exhibitions, or even sporting events. Shows often involve the display of artistic skills, storytelling, music, dance, comedy, or any combination thereof to engage and entertain the viewers or spectators.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Showverb

    to exhibit or present to view; to place in sight; to display; -- the thing exhibited being the object, and often with an indirect object denoting the person or thing seeing or beholding; as, to show a house; show your colors; shopkeepers show customers goods (show goods to customers)

  2. Showverb

    to exhibit to the mental view; to tell; to disclose; to reveal; to make known; as, to show one's designs

  3. Showverb

    specifically, to make known the way to (a person); hence, to direct; to guide; to asher; to conduct; as, to show a person into a parlor; to show one to the door

  4. Showverb

    to make apparent or clear, as by evidence, testimony, or reasoning; to prove; to explain; also, to manifest; to evince; as, to show the truth of a statement; to show the causes of an event

  5. Showverb

    to bestow; to confer; to afford; as, to show favor

  6. Showverb

    to exhibit or manifest one's self or itself; to appear; to look; to be in appearance; to seem

  7. Showverb

    to have a certain appearance, as well or ill, fit or unfit; to become or suit; to appear

  8. Shownoun

    the act of showing, or bringing to view; exposure to sight; exhibition

  9. Shownoun

    that which os shown, or brought to view; that which is arranged to be seen; a spectacle; an exhibition; as, a traveling show; a cattle show

  10. Shownoun

    proud or ostentatious display; parade; pomp

  11. Shownoun

    semblance; likeness; appearance

  12. Shownoun

    false semblance; deceitful appearance; pretense

  13. Shownoun

    a discharge, from the vagina, of mucus streaked with blood, occuring a short time before labor

  14. Shownoun

    a pale blue flame, at the top of a candle flame, indicating the presence of fire damp

  15. Etymology: [Written also shew.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Show

    shō, v.t. to present to view: to enable to perceive or know: to inform: to teach: to guide: to prove: to explain: to bestow.—v.i. to appear, come into sight: to look:—pa.p. shōwn or shōwed.—n. act of showing: display: a sight or spectacle: parade: appearance: plausibility, pretence: a sign, indication.—ns. Show′-bill, a bill for showing or advertising the price, merits, &c. of goods; Show′-box, a showman's box out of which he takes his materials; Show′bread, among the Jews, the twelve loaves of bread shown or presented before Jehovah in the sanctuary; Show′-card, a placard with an announcement: a card of patterns; Show′-case, a case with glass sides in which articles are exhibited in a museum, &c.; Show′-end, that end of a piece of cloth which is on the outside of the roll for exhibition to customers; Show′er; Show′ing, appearance: a setting forth, representation; Show′man, one who exhibits shows; Show′-place, a place for exhibition: a gymnasium: (Shak.) a place where shows are exhibited; Show′-room, a room where a show is exhibited: a room in a warehouse, &c., where goods are displayed to the best advantage, a room in a commercial hotel where travellers' samples are exhibited.—Show a leg (vul.), to get out of bed; Show fight, to show a readiness to resist; Show forth, to give out, proclaim; Show off, to display ostentatiously; Show of hands, a raising of hands at a meeting to show approval of any proposal; Show one's hand (see Hand); Show one the door, to dismiss a person from one's house or presence; Show up, to expose to blame or ridicule. [A.S. scéawian; Dut. schouwen, Ger. schauen, to behold.]

Editors Contribution

  1. show

    Be visible.

    They did show the innovation throughout the city.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 8, 2020  

  2. show

    To provide proof.

    They did show the auditor the proof of their compliance with the standard.


    Submitted by MaryC on March 15, 2020  

Suggested Resources

  1. show

    Song lyrics by show -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by show on the Lyrics.com website.

  2. SHOW

    What does SHOW stand for? -- Explore the various meanings for the SHOW acronym on the Abbreviations.com website.

  3. Show

    Show vs. Shew -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Show and Shew.

Etymology and Origins

  1. Show

    Theatrical slang for a performance.

Surnames Frequency by Census Records

  1. SHOW

    According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Show is ranked #27228 in terms of the most common surnames in America.

    The Show surname appeared 888 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 would have the surname Show.

    85.1% or 756 total occurrences were White.
    5.7% or 51 total occurrences were Asian.
    2.9% or 26 total occurrences were Black.
    2.7% or 24 total occurrences were of two or more races.
    2% or 18 total occurrences were American Indian or Alaskan Native.
    1.4% or 13 total occurrences were of Hispanic origin.

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'show' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #547

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'show' in Written Corpus Frequency: #517

  3. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'show' in Nouns Frequency: #416

  4. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'show' in Verbs Frequency: #36

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

Anagrams for show »

  1. hows

  2. how's

  3. who's

How to pronounce show?

How to say show in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of show in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of show in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of show in a Sentence

  1. Deborah Birx:

    What we have said to people is there is clear scientific evidence now, by all the droplet experiments that happened, and that others have done, to show that a mask does prevent droplets from reaching others.

  2. Bill Maher:

    A recession is a survivable event, what President Donald Trump is doing to this country is not. Democracy is about to go the way of the dinosaurs because we’ve been taken over by a dodo bird. Tom Arnold Games Nicolle Wallace, Poppy Harlow While Plugging Michael Cohen Meeting For President Donald Trump Tapes Show.

  3. Zak Shaikh:

    They've not entered the market with such a big splash, like Disney + did with' Madalorian,' they've got to build greater volume...' The Morning Show' garnered a lot of critical acclaim. But it's not just about having that one, big splashy show that gets nominated, it's about the volume.

  4. Larry Starr:

    It not only was a No. 1 song during Christmas of the year it was released, 1942, it was No. 1 next year in 1943. And it continued to show up on the bestseller charts for years afterwards, write a good secular holiday tune, one that is not limited by very specifically religious imagery in the words, and you might have a perennial hit.

  5. Larry Hogan:

    Unfortunately, the concept of anecdotal as opposed to science-driven information seemed to prevail, i took no great pleasure out of contradicting the President, but I had to get out just to maintain my own integrity, but also to stand up for science that the data did not show what they were claiming.

more sentences »

Popularity rank by frequency of use

show#1#268#10000

References

Translations for show

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • عرض, معرض, اظهار, استعراض, برنامج, وضح, ظهر, ثبت, قدم, عرArabic
  • пака́зваць, паказа́цьBelarusian
  • пока́звам, пока́жаBulgarian
  • দেখানোBengali
  • espectacle, ensenyar, demostrar, mostrarCatalan, Valencian
  • pořad, ukázka, přehlídka, předvedení, výstava, podívaná, ukázat, ukazovatCzech
  • Schau, Demonstration, Show, zeigenGerman
  • επίδειξη, σόου, εκπομπή, έκθεση, θέαμα, δείχνω, εμφανίζω, φαίνομαι, αποδεικνύω, παρουσιάζωGreek
  • montri, vidigiEsperanto
  • espectáculo, programa, exposición, demostración, show, mostrar, demostrarSpanish
  • نمایش, شو, نشان دادن, نمودنPersian
  • näytelmä, ohjelma, näytös, näyttely, demonstraatio, esittely, esitys, show, näyttää, näytellä, näkyä, osoittaa, esittääFinnish
  • démonstration, spectacle, exposition, émission, montrer, démontrerFrench
  • taispeáinIrish
  • taisbeanadh, seallScottish Gaelic
  • amosar, mostrarGalician
  • מופע, תוכנית, הופעה, הראה, הציגHebrew
  • दिखानाHindi
  • megmutat, mutatHungarian
  • monstrarInterlingua
  • tunjukIndonesian
  • spettacolo, esibizione, programma, mostra, dimostrare, mostrareItalian
  • ショー, 誇示, 展示会, 興行, 示す, 見せる, 表すJapanese
  • 보이다, 전시하다Korean
  • پیشانگا, پیشاندانKurdish
  • exhibo, ostendo, designo, offero, monstroLatin
  • емисија, изложба, претстава, пока́жува, по́кажеMacedonian
  • दाखवणेMarathi
  • persembahan, tunjukMalay
  • wirja, spettaklu, essibizjoniMaltese
  • tentoonstelling, show, expositie, voorstelling, bewijzen, aantonen, zien, demonstreren, vertonen, tonenDutch
  • show, program, viseNorwegian
  • pokazywać, pokazaćPolish
  • programa, exposição, espetáculo, demonstração, mostra, show, apresentar, demonstrar, mostrarPortuguese
  • aminakoyimQuechua
  • emisiune, expoziție, program, demonstrație, spectacol, arăta, demonstraRomanian
  • программа, зрелище, шоу, выставка, спектакль, представление, телепрограмма, показа́ться, показа́ть, пока́зываться, пока́зыватьRussian
  • šou, izložba, demonstracija, показати, pokazatiSerbo-Croatian
  • ukazovať, ukázaťSlovak
  • pokazati, kazatiSlovene
  • demonstration, utställning, show, uppvisning, synas, visa, märkas, demonstreraSwedish
  • shooSwahili
  • ప్రదర్శనం, చూపించుTelugu
  • ละคร, โชว์, แสดงThai
  • şov, gösteri, program, göstermekTurkish
  • показа́ти, пока́зуватиUkrainian
  • دکھاناUrdu
  • ווייַזןYiddish

Get even more translations for show »

Translation

Find a translation for the show definition in other languages:

Select another language:

  • - Select -
  • 简体中文 (Chinese - Simplified)
  • 繁體中文 (Chinese - Traditional)
  • Español (Spanish)
  • Esperanto (Esperanto)
  • 日本語 (Japanese)
  • Português (Portuguese)
  • Deutsch (German)
  • العربية (Arabic)
  • Français (French)
  • Русский (Russian)
  • ಕನ್ನಡ (Kannada)
  • 한국어 (Korean)
  • עברית (Hebrew)
  • Gaeilge (Irish)
  • Українська (Ukrainian)
  • اردو (Urdu)
  • Magyar (Hungarian)
  • मानक हिन्दी (Hindi)
  • Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Italiano (Italian)
  • தமிழ் (Tamil)
  • Türkçe (Turkish)
  • తెలుగు (Telugu)
  • ภาษาไทย (Thai)
  • Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
  • Čeština (Czech)
  • Polski (Polish)
  • Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian)
  • Românește (Romanian)
  • Nederlands (Dutch)
  • Ελληνικά (Greek)
  • Latinum (Latin)
  • Svenska (Swedish)
  • Dansk (Danish)
  • Suomi (Finnish)
  • فارسی (Persian)
  • ייִדיש (Yiddish)
  • հայերեն (Armenian)
  • Norsk (Norwegian)
  • English (English)

Word of the Day

Would you like us to send you a FREE new word definition delivered to your inbox daily?

Please enter your email address:

Citation

Use the citation below to add this definition to your bibliography:

Style:MLAChicagoAPA

"show." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 3 Dec. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/show>.

Powered by CITE.ME Cite.Me

Discuss these show definitions with the community:

0 Comments

    Are we missing a good definition for show? Don't keep it to yourself...

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant definitions for any word that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Browse Definitions.net

    #ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ 

    Quiz

    Are you a words master?

    »
    the verbal act of urging on
    A fervidness
    B sundog
    C instigation
    D scalawag

    Nearby & related entries:

    Alternative searches for show: