show

noun

UK /ʃəʊ/

Word Forms

singular	show
plural	shows

1
countable a performance, especially in a theatre
She had tickets to see the new show at the Aldwych Theatre.
The show features three new actors in the main roles.
the show opens (=appears for the first time):
She walked out three days before the show was due to open.
steal the show (=be the most impressive performer):
She only had a small part but she stole the show.
Synonyms and related words
General words for performances
act
appearance
booking
1. 1a
  a television or radio programme
  It’s the funniest comedy show on television.
  host/present a show:
  I listened to a Radio 2 show hosted by Paul Jones.
  a quiz/game show (=in which people answer questions and win prizes):
  They spend their days watching game shows.
  Synonyms and related words
  Types of television or radio programme
  box set
  breakfast television
  broadcast
2. 1b
  an exhibition
  a fashion/flower show
  Synonyms and related words
  Expositions and shows
  exhibition
  show
  fair
3. 1c
  informalany type of event or occasion
  The interview turned out to be quite a show.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning event
  episode
  event
  incident
2
singular something that you do in order to make people realize what your opinions or intentions are
a show of force/strength:
The attack was clearly intended as a show of force.
In a rare show of unity, both Catholic and Protestant leaders appeared together at yesterday’s peace rally.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of communicating and acts of communicating
language
speech
communications
1. 2a
  singular/uncountable an occasion when you pretend to have particular feelings
  put on/make a show of something:
  They made a show of affection for the sake of the children.
  for show (=in order to give a false appearance):
  The kisses and warm words were clearly just for show.
  Synonyms and related words
  Cheating, dishonest and insincere behaviour
  dishonesty
  deceit
  corruption
3
all show and no go
used to describe a boastful person whose words are not matched with action
Later on I regretted hiring him as he was just all show and no go.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 08/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

get the show on the road

on show

put up a good/poor show

show

noun

US /ʃoʊ/

Word Forms

singular	show
plural	shows

1
countable a performance, especially in a theater
She had tickets to see the new show at the Winter Garden.
The show features three new actors in the main roles.
the show opens (=appears for the first time):
She walked out three days before the show was due to open.
steal the show (=be the most impressive performer):
Tonight the featured actor stole the show, making the audience forget the star.
Synonyms and related words
General words for performances
act
appearance
booking
1. 1a
  a television or radio program
  It’s the funniest comedy show on television.
  host/present a show:
  I listened to a National Public Radio show hosted by Garrison Keillor.
  a game show (=in which people answer questions and win prizes):
  They spend their days watching game shows.
  Synonyms and related words
  Types of television or radio program
  box set
  breakfast television
  broadcast
2. 1b
  an exhibit
  a fashion/flower show
  Synonyms and related words
  Expositions and shows
  exhibition
  show
  fair
3. 1c
  informalany type of event or occasion
  The interview turned out to be quite a show.
  Synonyms and related words
  General words meaning event
  episode
  event
  incident
2
singular something that you do in order to make people realize what your opinions or intentions are
a show of force/strength:
The attack was clearly intended as a show of force.
In a rare show of unity, both Catholic and Protestant leaders appeared together at yesterday’s peace rally.
Synonyms and related words
Ways of communicating and acts of communicating
language
speech
communications
1. 2a
  singular/uncountable an occasion when you pretend to have particular feelings
  put on/make a show of something:
  They made a show of affection for the sake of the children.
  for show (=in order to give a false appearance):
  The kisses and warm words were clearly just for show.
  Synonyms and related words
  Cheating, dishonest and insincere behavior
  dishonesty
  deceit
  corruption
3
all show and no go
used to describe a boastful person whose words are not matched with action
Later on I regretted hiring him as he was just all show and no go.
Submitted by:
Boris Marchenko from Russian Federation on 08/06/2017
Open Dictionary - June2017

phrases

get the show on the road

on show

put up a good/poor show

show

verb

UK /ʃəʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	show
he/she/it	shows
present participle	showing
past tense	showed
past participle	shown

1
transitive to prove that something exists or is true
The study shows an increase in the disease among the elderly.
show (that):
The test results show that he could not have committed the murder.
show what/where/why etc:
Accidents like this show what can happen when drivers are not alert.
be shown to do something:
Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of getting lung cancer.
as shown by/in something:
As has been shown by our study, young people are less likely to vote.
show someone/something to be something:
The drug has shown itself to be an effective treatment for depression.
Synonyms and related words
To show or agree that something is true
show
prove
point to
2
transitive to give information that you can see on a printed thing such as a map or photograph
Members receive a detailed map showing all the major tourist attractions.
show something by something:
The temperature is shown on the diagram by a red line.
show something as something:
Chemical changes are shown on the chart as small circles.
Synonyms and related words
To show or display something
show
display
produce
1. 2a
  to give information that you can see in a film or on television
  The election results were shown on television.
  Synonyms and related words
  To broadcast or be broadcast on television or radio
  broadcast
  report
  give out
2. 2b
  to give information that you can see on a piece of equipment that measures something
  The dial showed that the pressure had fallen to a dangerously low level.
  Synonyms and related words
  To measure something
  measure
  weigh
  pace out
3
transitive to behave in a way that allows people to know your feelings, opinions, or personal qualities
Try to show an interest in the customer’s needs.
men who find it difficult to show their emotions
show your appreciation/gratitude:
The gift is intended to show our appreciation for all your hard work.
show (that):
The government has shown that it is not willing to compromise.
show what/how/why etc:
They have shown what they think of our suggestion.
Synonyms and related words
To show or express emotions
show
display
manifest
1. 3a
  intransitive if your feelings or thoughts show, people know what you are feeling or thinking from the way that you behave
  A deep sense of sadness showed beneath his cheerful exterior.
  Synonyms and related words
  What feelings and emotions do
  come over
  return
  run away with
Collocates
Nouns frequently used as objects of show
▪ affection, appreciation, compassion, emotion, feelings, gratitude, interest, reluctance, respect, willingness
4
transitive to let someone see something
show something to someone:
This is the first time the painting has been shown to the public.
show someone something:
I couldn’t wait to show him the letter.
show something to advantage (=make it appear as good or impressive as possible):
The display is designed to show the dresses to advantage.
Synonyms and related words
To show or display something
show
display
produce
5
transitive to lead someone somewhere, for example because they do not know where to go
show someone to something:
Let me show you to your room.
show someone into something:
She showed me into a sunny room where two children were playing.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere with someone or something
come
drive
walk
6
transitive to give someone instructions or an explanation
show someone how/what/which etc:
A young girl showed me how to operate the machine.
show someone something:
Can you show me the right way to do this?
Synonyms and related words
To make something easier to understand
explain
define
put across
1. 6a
  to tell someone where something is
  show someone where:
  She showed me where I could leave my luggage.
  Synonyms and related words
  To show or display something
  show
  display
  produce
7
intransitive/transitive if something shows, people can see it or notice it
They managed to fix it so that the break wouldn’t show.
She had chosen a colour that really showed the dirt.
and it shows (=used for saying that something is very obvious):
They used the cheapest materials they could find, and it shows.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
obvious
apparent
show up
8
intransitive/transitive if someone shows a film or a television programme, or if it is showing, people can see it
It was the first time the film was shown on television.
Now showing at a cinema near you!
Synonyms and related words
To broadcast or be broadcast on television or radio
broadcast
report
give out
9
transitive to put something such as a work of art, an animal, or a plant in an exhibition or competition
Her work was first shown at a gallery in Munich.
I’ve been showing my dogs for over ten years.
Synonyms and related words
Museums, libraries and art galleries
accession
annals
archive
10

show
or
show up
intransitive informalto arrive in a place where people are expecting you
We didn’t think Austin would show.
Synonyms and related words
To arrive in a place, or to enter a place
arrive
enter
reach
11
that will/that’ll show someone
said of an action that you intend as a punishment for someone who has done something that you disapprove of
The next time he use my credit card without permission, I’ll tell him off for that. That’ll show him!
Submitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 05/12/2015
Open Dictionary - December2015
12
show a bit of ankle/leg
journalism
especially in politics, to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything
He saw that the Gove had been showing a bit of political ankle on Europe – the kind of manoeuvring, incidentally, which Gove accused both Nick Clegg and Vince Cable of doing on the same programme, the cad.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 14/05/2013
Open Dictionary - May2013

phrases

have something/nothing to show for something

I’ll show you/him/them etc

it shows/goes to show

show your face

show your hand

show a profit/loss

show signs of something

show someone who’s boss

show yourself

phrasal verbs

show around

show in

show off

show out

show over

show round

show up

show

verb

US /ʃoʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	show
he/she/it	shows
present participle	showing
past tense	showed
past participle	shown

1
transitive to prove that something exists or is true
The study shows an increase in the disease among the elderly.
show (that):
The test results show that he could not have committed the murder.
show what/where/why etc.:
Accidents like this show what can happen when drivers are not alert.
be shown to do something:
Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of getting lung cancer.
as shown by/in something:
As has been shown by our study, young people are less likely to vote.
show someone/something to be something:
The drug has shown itself to be an effective treatment for depression.
Synonyms and related words
To show or agree that something is true
show
prove
point to
2
transitive to give information that you can see on a printed thing such as a map or photograph
Members receive a detailed map showing all the major tourist attractions.
show something by something:
The temperature is shown on the diagram by a red line.
show something as something:
Chemical changes are shown on the chart as small circles.
Synonyms and related words
To show or display something
show
display
produce
1. 2a
  to give information that you can see in a movie or on television
  The election results were shown on television.
  Synonyms and related words
  To broadcast or be broadcast on television or radio
  broadcast
  report
  screen
2. 2b
  to give information that you can see on a piece of equipment that measures something
  The dial showed that the pressure had fallen to a dangerously low level.
  Synonyms and related words
  To measure something
  measure
  weigh
  pace out
3
transitive to behave in a way that allows people to know your feelings, opinions, or personal qualities
Try to show an interest in the customer’s needs.
men who find it difficult to show their emotions
show (that):
The management has shown that it is not willing to compromise.
show what/how/why etc.:
They have shown what they think of our suggestion.
show your appreciation/gratitude:
The gift is intended to show our appreciation for all your hard work.
Synonyms and related words
To show or express emotions
show
display
manifest
1. 3a
  intransitive if your feelings or thoughts show, people know what you are feeling or thinking from the way that you behave
  A deep sense of sadness showed beneath his cheerful exterior.
  Synonyms and related words
  What feelings and emotions do
  color
  come over
  sweep over
Collocates
Nouns frequently used as objects of show
▪ affection, appreciation, compassion, emotion, feelings, gratitude, interest, reluctance, respect, willingness
4
transitive to let someone see something
show something to someone:
This is the first time the painting has been shown to the public.
show someone something:
I couldn’t wait to show him the letter.
show something to advantage (=make it appear as good or impressive as possible):
The display is designed to show the dresses to advantage.
Synonyms and related words
To show or display something
show
display
produce
5
transitive to give someone instructions or an explanation
show someone something:
Can you show me the right way to do this?
show someone how/what/which etc.:
A young girl showed me how to operate the machine.
Synonyms and related words
To make something easier to understand
explain
define
put across
1. 5a
  to tell someone where something is
  show someone where:
  She showed me where I could leave my luggage.
  Synonyms and related words
  To show or display something
  show
  display
  produce
6
transitive to lead someone somewhere, for example because they do not know where to go
show someone to something:
Let me show you to your room.
show someone into something:
She showed me into a sunny room, where two children were playing.
Synonyms and related words
To go somewhere with someone or something
come
drive
walk
7
intransitive/transitive if something shows, people can see it or notice it
They managed to fix it so that the break wouldn’t show.
She had chosen a color that really showed the dirt.
and it shows (=used for saying that something is very obvious):
They used the cheapest materials they could find, and it shows.
Synonyms and related words
Clear to the senses
pin-sharp
obvious
apparent
8
intransitive/transitive if someone shows a movie or a television program, or if it is showing, people can see it
It was the first time the movie was shown on television.
Now showing at a movie theater near you!
Synonyms and related words
To broadcast or be broadcast on television or radio
broadcast
report
screen
9
transitive to put something such as a work of art, an animal, or a plant in an exhibit or competition
Her work was first shown at a gallery in Munich.
I’ve been showing my dogs for over ten years.
Synonyms and related words
Museums, libraries and art galleries
accession
annals
archive
10

show
or
show up
intransitive informalto arrive in a place where people are expecting you
We didn’t think Austin would show.
Synonyms and related words
To arrive in a place, or to enter a place
arrive
enter
reach
11
that will/that’ll show someone
said of an action that you intend as a punishment for someone who has done something that you disapprove of
The next time he use my credit card without permission, I’ll tell him off for that. That’ll show him!
Submitted by:
Caleb Judy from United States on 05/12/2015
Open Dictionary - December2015
12
show a bit of ankle/leg
journalism
especially in politics, to reveal a small part of your intentions in order to attract support, without actually committing yourself to doing anything
He saw that the Gove had been showing a bit of political ankle on Europe – the kind of manoeuvring, incidentally, which Gove accused both Nick Clegg and Vince Cable of doing on the same programme, the cad.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 14/05/2013
Open Dictionary - May2013

phrases

have something/nothing to show for something

I’ll show you/him/them etc.

it shows/goes to show

show your face

show your hand

show a profit/loss

show signs of something

show someone who’s boss

show yourself

phrasal verbs

show around

show in

show off

show out

show up

show ​‌‌‌

all show and no go

show ​‌‌‌

all show and no go

show ​‌‌‌

show

show up

that will/that’ll show someone

show a bit of ankle/leg

show ​‌‌‌

show

show up

that will/that’ll show someone

show a bit of ankle/leg

show

show

show

show