show

show [shō]

vt.

showed, shown or showed, showing [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]

1. to bring or put in sight or view; cause or allow to appear or be seen; make visible; exhibit; display

2.

a) to enter (animals, flowers, etc.) in a competitive show

b) 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]

vi.

1. to be or become seen or visible; appear

2.

a) to be apparent or noticeable [a scratch that hardly shows]

b) 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

n.

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

adj.

of or having to do with a SHOW (n. 7 or 8), specif. a Broadway or Hollywood musical [a medley of show tunes]

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for show

in order to attract notice or attention

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good show!

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

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put the show on the road or get the show on the road

Slang to set things in operation; start an activity, venture, etc.

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show in or show out

to usher into (or out of) a given place

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show off

1. to make a display of; exhibit in a showy manner

2. to behave in a manner intended to attract attention

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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.

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☆ stand a show or have a show

Informal to have a chance, esp. a remote one

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steal the show

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

SYN.- SHOW implies a 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 that has been covered or concealed [this bathing suit exposes the scar ]; FLAUNT implies an ostentatious, impudent, or defiant display [to flaunt one's riches, vices, etc. ]