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show

v. · n.
US //ˈʃoʊ// UK //ʃˈəʊ// show
Irregular verb past showed past participle shown / showed
  1. 1 to let someone see (v.)
    A1 Beginner

    to let someone see something or to put it where it can be seen.

    to display something or allow it to be perceived by others. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    Can you show me your holiday photos on your phone?

    Example

    The gallery owner decided to show the artist's early sketches alongside the finished oil paintings to illustrate her creative process.
  2. 2 to explain or prove (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to explain how to do something or to prove that a fact is true.

    to demonstrate a process or establish the validity of a fact through evidence or logic.

    Example

    The teacher will show us how to solve the math problem.

    Example

    Recent data clearly show that consumer spending habits have shifted toward online platforms during the last fiscal quarter.
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  1. 3 to be visible (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to be seen or to appear, often by accident.

    to be visible or to become apparent. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.

    Example

    The dirt on his white shirt really started to show after the game.

    Example

    Despite her attempts to remain calm, a hint of frustration began to show in her voice during the long negotiation.
  2. 4 to arrive (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    to arrive at a place where people are waiting for you.

    to put in an appearance or arrive at a scheduled event. Often used as a shortened form of the phrasal verb 'show up'.

    Example

    We waited for an hour, but he didn't show.

    Example

    If the witness fails to show for the hearing tomorrow, the judge may be forced to dismiss the case entirely.
  3. 5 entertainment (n.)
    A1 Beginner

    a television program, a play, or a musical performance.

    a theatrical performance, broadcast program, or other organized entertainment event.

    Example

    What time does your favorite TV show start tonight?

    Example

    The Broadway show received rave reviews from critics, leading to a massive surge in ticket sales for the winter season.
  4. 6 an exhibition (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    a collection of things, like cars or flowers, put in one place for people to look at.

    a public exhibition or display of items, often for competition or commercial purposes.

    Example

    We went to the local boat show to see the new models.

    Example

    The annual horticultural show attracts gardeners from across the country who compete for the prestigious Best in Category award.
  5. 7 false appearance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    something done just to impress people, even if it is not real or sincere.

    an outward display or affectation intended to impress or deceive, often lacking underlying substance.

    Example

    He isn't really that rich; the expensive car is just for show.

    Example

    The company's commitment to environmental reform was largely a show designed to appease shareholders rather than a genuine policy shift.
  6. 8 medical sign (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    a small amount of blood that shows a woman will soon give birth.

    a discharge of blood-stained mucus from the vagina occurring shortly before the onset of labour.

    Example

    The midwife told her that a show is a normal sign that labor is starting.

    Example

    The patient reported a bloody show early in the morning, suggesting that the first stage of labour was imminent.
    • bloody show
Etymology 1

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).

Etymology 2

From Middle English schewe, from the verb (schewen).

Etymology 3

Variant of shove, itself a variant of shive.

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