# showy

/ˈʃoʊi/ (US) · /ʃˈəʊi/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/showy
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

describing something that is bright, loud, or very noticeable because it wants to attract attention. It often has a slightly negative meaning, suggesting that the thing is more about looking good than being useful.

For teachers: attracting attention through bright colors, loud sounds, or ostentatious display. Often carries a pejorative nuance, implying that the object is more concerned with appearance than with substance.

## Examples

- The garden is full of showy flowers that bloom in the summer.
- The new car has a showy paint job and expensive wheels, but it doesn't handle the road very well.
- While the architect's initial sketches were praised for their showy complexity, the final building was criticized for being more of a visual spectacle than a functional space for the community.

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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.