show

verb (past participle shown or showed)

1》 be, allow, or cause to be visible.

    ↘exhibit or produce for inspection.

    ↘present (a film or television programme) on a screen for viewing.

    ↘represent or depict in art.

    ↘(show oneself or one's face) allow oneself to be seen; appear in public.

    ↘(also show up) informal arrive for an appointment or at a gathering.

2》 allow (a quality, emotion, or characteristic) to be perceived; display.

    ↘accord or treat someone with (a specified quality).

    ↘informal (of a woman) be visibly pregnant.

3》 demonstrate or prove.

    ↘explain or demonstrate something to.

    ↘conduct or lead: show them in, please.

4》 N. Amer. finish third or in the first three in a race.

noun

1》 a spectacle or display.

2》 a play or other stage performance, especially a musical.

    ↘a light entertainment programme on television or radio.

    ↘an event or competition involving the public display of animals, plants, or products.

    ↘informal an undertaking, project, or organization: I run the show.

3》 an outward appearance or display of a quality or feeling.

    ↘(often in phr. for show) an outward display intended to give a false impression.

    ↘a ludicrous spectacle: don't make a show of yourself.

4》 Medicine a discharge of blood and mucus from the vagina at the onset of labour or menstruation.

5》 US & Austral./NZ informal an opportunity or chance.

Phrases

all over the show another way of saying all over the place (see all).

get the show on the road informal begin an undertaking or enterprise.

good (or bad or poor) show! Brit. informal, dated used to express approval (or disapproval or dissatisfaction).

have something (or nothing) to show for have a (or no) visible result of (one's work or experience).

on show being exhibited.

show cause Law produce satisfactory grounds for application of (or exemption from) a procedure or penalty.

show (someone) a clean pair of heels informal run away from (someone) extremely fast.

show someone the door dismiss or eject someone.

show one's hand (or cards) disclose one's plans.

show of force a demonstration of the forces at one's command and of one's readiness to use them.

show of hands a vote by the raising of hands.

show one's teeth Brit. use one's power or authority in an aggressive or intimidating way.

show willing Brit. display a willingness to help.

Phrasal verbs

show something forth archaic exhibit something.

show off informal boastfully display one's abilities or accomplishments.

show something off display something that is a source of pride.

show out Bridge reveal that one has no cards of a particular suit.

show someone round (or chiefly N. Amer. around) point out interesting features in a place or building to someone.

show someone/thing up

1》 expose someone or something as being bad or faulty.

2》 (show someone up) informal embarrass or humiliate someone.

Origin

OE scēawian 'look at, inspect', from a W. Gmc base meaning 'look'.