showy
adjective
ˈshō-ē 
showier; showiest
1
: making an attractive show : striking
a showy orchid
2
: given to or marked by a flashy often tasteless display
showily
ˈshō-ə-lē
adverb showiness
ˈshō-ē-nəs
noun 
Synonyms
- arresting
- bodacious
- bold
- brilliant
- catchy
- commanding
- conspicuous
- dramatic
- emphatic
- eye-catching
- flamboyant
- grabby
- kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish]
- marked
- noisy
- noticeable
- prominent
- pronounced
- remarkable
- splashy
- striking
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Perhaps you should wear something a little less showy. orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers
Recent Examples on the Web This lacecap hydrangea variety produces showy flowers for months. 
Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2022 This spiny, shrubby plant produces showy white flowers and fruit that looks like cherry tomatoes and tastes like a cross between the two (cherries and tomatoes, that is). Sarah Karnasiewicz, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Small spikes of white flowers appear here and there between spring and fall, but aren't very showy. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2022 Some details were less showy, but no less important. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 20 July 2022 This showy amaryllis will bring elegance to any decor. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2022 SummerFest newcomer Johannes Moser played the cello with aplomb, and Yang effortlessly navigated her elaborately showy piano part. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2022 If a friend had bought a showy car, a Mercedes or a Cadillac, judgment would have been merciless and swift. Mark Oppenheimer, WSJ, 23 July 2022 The whole incident might end up as little more than a showy, performative in-kind contribution from the Florida Legislature to DeSantis' incipient 2024 presidential campaign. Joel Mathis, The Week, 25 Apr. 2022 See More
Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2022 This spiny, shrubby plant produces showy white flowers and fruit that looks like cherry tomatoes and tastes like a cross between the two (cherries and tomatoes, that is). Sarah Karnasiewicz, WSJ, 6 May 2022 Small spikes of white flowers appear here and there between spring and fall, but aren't very showy. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 June 2022 Some details were less showy, but no less important. Sarah Spellings, Vogue, 20 July 2022 This showy amaryllis will bring elegance to any decor. Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2022 SummerFest newcomer Johannes Moser played the cello with aplomb, and Yang effortlessly navigated her elaborately showy piano part. San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Aug. 2022 If a friend had bought a showy car, a Mercedes or a Cadillac, judgment would have been merciless and swift. Mark Oppenheimer, WSJ, 23 July 2022 The whole incident might end up as little more than a showy, performative in-kind contribution from the Florida Legislature to DeSantis' incipient 2024 presidential campaign. Joel Mathis, The Week, 25 Apr. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1697, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
showy
adjective
ˈshō-ē
showier; showiest
1
: attracting attention : striking
showy flower blossoms
2
: given to or being too much outward display : gaudy
showy jewelry
showy
adjective
as in noticeable
likely to attract attention orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- noticeable
- prominent
- dramatic
- commanding
- remarkable
- impressive
- striking
- conspicuous
- marked
- flamboyant
- brilliant
- pronounced
- noisy
- emphatic
- bold
- splashy
- outstanding
- interesting
- arresting
- eye-catching
- loud
- visible
- catchy
- distinguished
- flashy
- notable
- gaudy
- bodacious
- grabby
- ornate
- extravagant
- recognizable
- noteworthy
- glaring
- fancy
- salient
- discernible
- kenspeckle
- ostentatious
- highlighted
- glitzy
- garish
- spectacular
- perceptible
- tawdry
- detectable
- observable
- meretricious
- eminent
- flagrant
- pretentious
- fascinating
- swank
- jazzy
- opulent
- screaming
- glittery
- discernable
- overwrought
- florid
- overdone
- riveting
- swanky
- engrossing
- spotlighted
- enthralling
- absorbing
- howling
- hifalutin
- highfalutin
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inconspicuous
- subtle
- unobtrusive
- unremarkable
- unshowy
- unemphatic
- obscure
- hidden
- undistinguished
- unimportant
- concealed
- modest
- faint
- unassuming
- insignificant
- unflamboyant
- simple
- subtle
- unpretentious
- unnoticeable
- dim
- understated
- plain
- shrouded
- quiet
- conservative
- subdued
- restrained
- unaffected
- muted
- unflashy
- toned-down
Synonym Chooser
The words ostentatious and pretentious are common synonyms of showy. While all three words mean "given to excessive outward display," showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.
the performers' showy costumes
In some situations, the words ostentatious and showy are roughly equivalent. However, ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.
the ostentatious summer homes of the rich
The synonyms pretentious and showy are sometimes interchangeable, but pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.
a pretentious parade of hard words
- square root
- square sail
- square set
- square set system
- square shake
- square shooter
- square shooters
- square staff
- square stake
- square stance
- square stern
- square table
- square thread
- square up
- square up to
- square wave
- square weevil
- square wheel
- square with
- square yard
- square-backed fiddler
- square-dance
- square-dress
- square-drill
- square-headed