# show

/ˈʃoʊ/ (US) · /ʃˈəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/show
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to let someone see

verb · CEFR A1

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

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

- Can you show me your holiday photos on your phone?
- The gallery owner decided to show the artist's early sketches alongside the finished oil paintings to illustrate her creative process.

### 2. to explain or prove

verb · CEFR A2

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

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

- The teacher will show us how to solve the math problem.
- Recent data clearly show that consumer spending habits have shifted toward online platforms during the last fiscal quarter.

### 3. to be visible

verb · CEFR B1

to be seen or to appear, often by accident.

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

- The dirt on his white shirt really started to show after the game.
- Despite her attempts to remain calm, a hint of frustration began to show in her voice during the long negotiation.

### 4. to arrive

verb · CEFR B1 · Informal

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

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

- We waited for an hour, but he didn't show.
- If the witness fails to show for the hearing tomorrow, the judge may be forced to dismiss the case entirely.

### 5. entertainment

noun · CEFR A1

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

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

- What time does your favorite TV show start tonight?
- The Broadway show received rave reviews from critics, leading to a massive surge in ticket sales for the winter season.

### 6. an exhibition

noun · CEFR A2

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

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

- We went to the local boat show to see the new models.
- The annual horticultural show attracts gardeners from across the country who compete for the prestigious Best in Category award.

### 7. false appearance

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- He isn't really that rich; the expensive car is just for show.
- The company's commitment to environmental reform was largely a show designed to appease shareholders rather than a genuine policy shift.

### 8. medical sign

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

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

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

- The midwife told her that a show is a normal sign that labor is starting.
- The patient reported a bloody show early in the morning, suggesting that the first stage of labour was imminent.

## Examples

- We are watching a comedy show tonight.
- The local museum is hosting a new art show featuring paintings from local students this weekend.
- While the lead actor's performance was technically proficient, the rest of the show suffered from poor pacing and a script that failed to engage the audience's emotions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.