show bill noun

A bill or poster announcing a play or show

showˈboat noun

A riverboat, usu a paddle steamer, serving as a travelling theatre

intransitive verb

1. To behave in an ostentatious manner
2. To show off

showˈboater noun

showˈbox noun

A showman's box out of which he takes his materials

showˈbread see shewbread

show business noun

The entertainment business, incl theatre, film and television (also (informal) showˈbiz or show biz)

showˈbiz or showˈbizzy adjective (informal)

Of, relating to or typical of the entertainment business

show card noun

1. A shopkeeper's advertising card
2. A card of patterns
3. A show bill

showˈcase noun

1. A glass display case for a museum, shop, etc
2. Any setting in which something or someone can be displayed to advantage (also adjective)

transitive verb

To display, exhibit

showˈdown noun

1. In poker, the exposure of players' cards face up on the table at the end of a game
2. The name of a card game similar to poker
3. An open disclosure of plans, means, etc
4. A confrontation or clash by which a contested issue, argument, etc may be finally settled

showˈgirl noun

A girl who takes part in variety entertainments usu as a dancer or singer

showˈground noun

A plot of land on which an outdoor show is held

show home or show house noun

A decorated and furnished house shown to prospective buyers as an example of the type of house available on a new or incomplete housing estate

showˈjump intransitive verb

showˈjumper noun

A horse or rider in a showjumping competition

showˈjumping noun

A competition in which a succession of riders on horseback have to jump a series of obstacles of different kinds (also adjective)

showˈman noun

1. A person who exhibits, or owns, a show
2. A person who is skilled at public display and self-advertisement

showˈmanly adjective

showˈmanship noun

Skilful display, or a talent for it

showˈ-off noun

A person who behaves in an ostentatious manner in an effort to win admiration or public attention

show of hands noun

A vote indicated by raising hands

showˈpiece noun

1. Something considered an especially fine specimen of its type, etc
2. An exhibit, something on display, etc

showˈplace noun

1. A place visited or shown as a sight
2. A place where shows are exhibited

show pony noun

1. A pony trained to take part in competitions
2. An ostentatious but ineffective performer (sl)

showˈroom noun

A room where goods or samples are displayed

show-stopper, show-stopping see stop the show below.

showˈtime noun

1. The time when a performance is due to begin
2. The time for decisive action (figurative)

show trial noun

A trial at which the opportunity to expose the accused to public opprobrium is given priority over the impartial prosecution of justice

showˈyard noun

A yard for cattle shows

for show

1. For the sake of outward appearances
2. To attract notice

give the show away

To let out a secret

good (or bad) show

1. Well (or not well) done
2. Fortunate (or unfortunate) occurrence or circumstances

run the show (informal)

1. To take or be in charge
2. To take over, dominate

show a leg (informal)

To get out of bed

show fight

To show a readiness to resist

show forth

To manifest, proclaim

show off

1. To display or behave ostentatiously
2. To display to good effect

show up

1. To expose
2. To appear to advantage or disadvantage
3. To show (esp faults) clearly by contrast
4. To embarrass, put to shame (informal)
5. To be present
6. To appear, arrive (informal)
7. To lodge, hand in, as a school exercise

steal the show

1. To win the most applause
2. To attract the most publicity or admiration

stop the show

1. To be applauded with so much enthusiasm as to interrupt the show, play, etc (hence showˈ-stopper noun the act, line, etc, so applauded; showˈ-stopping adjective generating so much applause as to interrupt the show, etc)
2. To have a sensational effect