verb
/ˈʃoʊ/ shows; showed /ˈʃoʊd/; shown /ˈʃoʊn/ or showed; showing
[+ obj] :to cause or allow (something) to be seen
[+ obj] :to give information that proves (something)
[+ obj] :to teach (someone) how to do or use something especially by letting that person see you do or use it
[+ obj] :to tell (someone) what or where something is by touching or pointing to it
always followed by an adverb or preposition [+ obj] :to lead (someone) to a place
[+ obj] - used to describe what can be seen or noticed when you look at or examine something
[+ obj] :to have an image or picture of (someone or something)
to give (information) in the form of numbers, pictures, etc. [+ obj]
[no obj] :to be able to be seen or noticed
[+ obj] :to cause or allow (something) to be easily seen or noticed
[+ obj] :to cause or allow (a feeling, quality, or condition) to be seen or known
[no obj] of a feeling, quality, or condition :to be able to be seen
[+ obj] :to give (mercy, respect, etc.) to someone
[+ obj] :to cause (someone) to see your true ability, power, etc.
to make (a movie, television show, piece of art, etc.) available for the public to see [+ obj]
[no obj] chiefly US informal :to arrive or appear at a place
usually + up
to enter (an animal) in a competition in which it is judged against other animals of the same kind [+ obj]
used in phrases like have something/nothing to show for to say what someone has achieved or produced by doing something
show around
also Brit show round [phrasal verb]
show (someone) around/round :to act as a guide for someone who is visiting a place :to lead (someone) around a place and point to and talk about the interesting or important things you see
show off
[phrasal verb] informal
disapproving :to try to impress someone with your abilities or possessions
show off (someone or something) or show (someone or something) off :to cause (someone or something that you are proud of) to be seen or noticed by a lot of people
show off (something) or show (something) off :to make (something) very noticeable
show (someone) the door, show (someone) to the door
show the flag
show up
[phrasal verb]
show up (someone) or show (someone) up informal :to embarrass (someone) :to do something that makes (someone) look foolish, weak, etc.
show willing
Brit :to show that you are willing and eager to do what is needed
show your face
to appear in public and allow people to see you
show your hand
also show your cards
to put down your playing cards on a table so that their values can be seen
to tell other people what you are planning to do, want to do, or are able to do
show yourself
to move out from a hidden place so that you can be seen
to show that you are a particular kind of person, that you have a particular skill, etc. - followed by to + verb
show your stuff
show your true colors
noun
plural shows
[count] a performance in a theater that usually includes singing and dancing
a public performance that is intended to entertain people
[count] :a television or radio program
[count] :an event at which things of the same kind are put on display for people to look at or buy
[singular] an action, performance, etc., which clearly shows an ability, feeling, quality, etc. - usually + of
an event at which something is done or shown to impress or entertain people - usually + of
disapproving :an act of pretending to feel a particular way :an act of behaving a certain way in order to make others like or approve of you [count]
usually singular; usually + of
[singular] :an event, business, etc., and all of the activities that are involved in its success
[count] :a competition at which animals of the same kind are judged against one another
a show of hands
an occurrence in which people put a hand in the air to indicate that they want something, agree with something, etc.
dog and pony show
for show
intended to be seen but not used or bought
done in order to make others like or approve of you
get the/this show on the road
informal :to begin an activity or journey
on show
put somewhere for people to see
the show must go on
informal - used to say that a performance, event, etc., must continue even though there are problems;
US