show
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to let someone see something or to put it where it can be seen.
v.to display something or allow it to be perceived by others. Transitive — requires a direct object.
Simple“Can you show me your holiday photos on your phone?”
In context“The gallery owner decided to show the artist's early sketches alongside the finished oil paintings to illustrate her creative process.”
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to explain how to do something or to prove that a fact is true.
v.to demonstrate a process or establish the validity of a fact through evidence or logic.
Simple“The teacher will show us how to solve the math problem.”
In context“Recent data clearly show that consumer spending habits have shifted toward online platforms during the last fiscal quarter.”
Synonyms - 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to be seen or to appear, often by accident.
v.to be visible or to become apparent. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.
Simple“The dirt on his white shirt really started to show after the game.”
In context“Despite her attempts to remain calm, a hint of frustration began to show in her voice during the long negotiation.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to arrive at a place where people are waiting for you.
v.to put in an appearance or arrive at a scheduled event. Often used as a shortened form of the phrasal verb 'show up'.
Simple“We waited for an hour, but he didn't show.”
In context“If the witness fails to show for the hearing tomorrow, the judge may be forced to dismiss the case entirely.”
- 05 A1 Beginner
n.a television program, a play, or a musical performance.
n.a theatrical performance, broadcast program, or other organized entertainment event.
Simple“What time does your favorite TV show start tonight?”
In context“The Broadway show received rave reviews from critics, leading to a massive surge in ticket sales for the winter season.”
Synonyms - 06 A2 Elementary
n.a collection of things, like cars or flowers, put in one place for people to look at.
n.a public exhibition or display of items, often for competition or commercial purposes.
Simple“We went to the local boat show to see the new models.”
In context“The annual horticultural show attracts gardeners from across the country who compete for the prestigious Best in Category award.”
Synonyms - 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.something done just to impress people, even if it is not real or sincere.
n.an outward display or affectation intended to impress or deceive, often lacking underlying substance.
Simple“He isn't really that rich; the expensive car is just for show.”
In context“The company's commitment to environmental reform was largely a show designed to appease shareholders rather than a genuine policy shift.”
- 08 C2 Proficiency
n.a small amount of blood that shows a woman will soon give birth.
n.a discharge of blood-stained mucus from the vagina occurring shortly before the onset of labour.
Simple“The midwife told her that a show is a normal sign that labor is starting.”
In context“The patient reported a bloody show early in the morning, suggesting that the first stage of labour was imminent.”
Synonymsbloody show
Usage showed no signs · showed a strong · show large
From Middle English schewen, from Old English scēawian (“to look, look at, exhibit, display”), from Proto-West Germanic skauwōn, from Proto-Germanic skawwōną (“to look, see”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewh₁- (“to heed, look, feel, take note of”); see haw, gaum, caveat, caution. Cognate with Scots shaw (“to show”), Dutch schouwen (“to inspect, view”), German schauen (“to see, behold”), Danish skue (“to behold”). Related to sheen. Wider cognates include Ancient Greek κῦδος (kûdos), Latin caveō whence English caution and caveat, Sanskrit कवि (kaví, “seer, prophet, bard”), Proto-Slavic *čuti (whence Russian чу́ять (čújatʹ) and many more).
From Middle English schewe, from the verb (schewen).
Variant of shove, itself a variant of shive.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.