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to show

to show

∞ 1.0
To let others see or notice something
  • verb
  • /ʃoʊ/
: mostrar
  • She will show us the latest design for the new product.
  • show videos
  • shown in parentheses

But with that being said, let's just show you my plants.

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Examples

  • All right, so show us what you got props.

  • Let me show you.

  • We have to be able to show our standards.

  • OK, I want to show you a couple more.

  • But with that being said, let's just show you my plants.

  • I'll go ahead and just show you some of that.

  • OK, so today I'm going to show you my routine.

  • Hey, Finner, show me that alligator again.

  • I'll show you.

  • School librarians demonstrate how to research deeply and show students that mastery is within their grasp.

    Academic text (2015)

Synonyms

to present
vsto show
∞ 2.8

Introduce information or ideas to a group

can apply to many acts of making something visible, not only to audiences
to express
vsto show
∞ 2.3

To show ideas and feelings by words or actions

is about making things visible, not specifically about communicating feelings
to display
vsto show
422 1.9

To show something so other people can see it

is more general, meaning to make things noticeable or apparent
to put up
vsto show
313 2.4

Place a sign or notice so people can see it

covers that action but also many other ways of making things apparent
to illustrate
vsto show
250 3.5

To explain something using pictures or examples

focuses on visibility rather than on explanation or illustration
to exhibit
vsto show
170 3.4

To show something to the public or show a feeling

is broader, not limited to public or formal display situations
to manifest
vsto show
  • Formal
144 5.6

To show a feeling or quality in actions and appearance

is the general act of making things visible, not only emerging qualities
to demonstrate
vsto show
134 3.1

Show people how something works or is done

can mean merely making visible rather than explaining or testing
to indicate
vsto show
121 3.1

Point to a place, person, direction or thing

is wider, covering many acts of making things apparent beyond pointing
to unveil
vsto show
120 4.1

To make something known for the first time

is general and does not require the idea of first public revelation
to showcase
vsto show
101 3.7

To present something so people notice its best qualities

is more neutral and simply makes things visible without praise
to produce
vsto show
84 2.5

To show something as proof

is wider, including simple making visible without evidential purpose
to expose
vsto show
67 2.8

Make something visible by removing a cover or letting light reach it

is not limited to uncovering and can include other ways to reveal
to illuminate
vsto show
53 4.1

To make something bright or visible with light

is broader and includes non-lighting ways to make things visible
to bring out
vsto show
44 3.0

Make a quality or detail easier to notice

may refer to general visibility rather than stressing features
to demo
vsto show
9 3.8

To show how a product or process works to other people

is more general and not limited to practical or product demonstrations
to evince
vsto show
  • Formal
7 8.2

To show clearly what someone thinks or feels

is a simpler act of making visible or noticeable without clarity emphasis
to disclose
vsto show
3 4.0

Make something visible by removing a cover

is broader, applying to revealing as well as simple display

Antonyms

∞ 1.0

To keep something so others cannot see or understand it

179 3.7

To hide something so others cannot see or find it

84 7.0

Make something hard to see or understand

Idioms

for show
  • Informal
39 6.7

Made to impress people rather than to be useful

A person or thing that stands out in a performance

15 7.7

To make others see you are in charge

15 3.7

To get the most attention or praise at an event

An event or activity must continue even when there are problems

To start something after getting everything ready

A saying that theatre or film work is more exciting, rewarding, and difficult than other jobs

A visible result you get from effort

1 9.9

Reveal an ankle in a way others see as shocking or rude

Make something brighter and more lively with colour or style

to show a leg
  • Archaic
1 9.5

To come out and join other people

1 6.3

To let people see who you really are, often under pressure

whale of a show
  • Informal
1 6.4

A very good performance or event that impresses many people

Run away quickly to avoid danger or trouble

Ask a woman to look at your art as a joke that suggests romantic or sexual interest

A quiet time after a big public celebration when excitement ends

To behave so others notice you in an embarrassing way

9.9

To embarrass yourself by doing something awkward in front of other people

Make yourself look good to other people

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 1.4

To be seen or arrive at a place

to show off
  • Informal
269 3.2

To act proudly to get attention or praise

to run the show
  • Informal
58 4.1

To be in charge of an activity or group

To make someone enjoy themselves, for example when they visit

14 6.4

Tell someone to leave a place in a rude or angry way

to show out
  • Informal
12 7.4

Act in a loud way to get attention and impress people

6 5.1

Appear in bright colours or make your style clear by what you wear

Arrive somewhere without being invited

2 4.2

To fail to go to a planned meeting or appointment without telling anyone

to show the door
  • Informal
6.7

Tell someone to leave a place firmly

Compounds

368 1.0

A TV program that people watch for fun or information

268 2.5

A television or radio program where famous people speak about topics and answer audience questions

130 1.0

A program you watch on TV in separate episodes

116 3.2

The world of movies, TV, theatre, and music and the people who work there

77 1.1

A television program where people compete in games or quizzes to win prizes

freak show
  • Offensive
56 6.8

An event that shows strange or shocking people and acts for entertainment

news show
  • Literature
50 1.0

A TV or radio program that reports current events and includes interviews and discussion

44 4.0

A person expected at an appointment who does not arrive and gives no notice

33 2.0

An event where judges compare dogs to breed standards

31 1.1

The time when a movie or play starts

27 4.0

An event where people buy, sell, and look at guns

show biz
  • Informal
23 3.5

The industry that makes movies, television, and theater for the public

20 1.8

A performance using puppets to tell a story to people

19 3.5

A display of colored lights that move and change for entertainment

picture show
  • Archaic
16 2.5

A film shown in a cinema for people to watch

show-off
  • Offensive
16 4.8

A person who tries to get attention by doing things to impress others

horror show
  • Informal
12 6.8

A situation that is chaotic and full of problems

12 3.4

A show made of different short acts like songs, dances, and jokes

show trial
  • Literature
8 8.6

A public court case planned to make a person look guilty

6 2.5

A TV or radio programme where famous people talk about topics and answer audience questions

6 4.2

A show that travels to different places for people to see

minstrel show
  • Offensive
5 9.9

A stage show where performers paint their faces black and act in a mean, exaggerated way about Black people

5 3.1

A performance with skaters doing routines on ice to music

5 4.2

Live music, dance, or comedy acts in clubs and restaurants

strip show
  • Offensive
3 5.7

A performance where a person slowly removes their clothes to music as a sexual display

Wild West show
  • Archaic
3 6.3

A live show with cowboys riding horses, shooting, and showing life in the old West

clown show
  • Offensive
3 7.0

A very messy and badly organized event or situation

3 5.1

A thing that looks very impressive and gets a lot of attention

Very impressive and hard to ignore

3 8.1

A stage show with funny acts and dancing where performers remove clothes

pregame show
  • Literature
2 3.2

A TV program before a sports event that gives analysis, highlights, and interviews

2 6.6

A serious problem that stops a plan, product, or event from going ahead

2 5.5

A part of a show that is so impressive it gets long applause

A nickname for the US state Missouri because its people are practical and do not believe things easily

1 5.5

A live act in which trained monkeys do tricks for people to watch

dumb show
  • Archaic
1 8.6

A short silent show using only gestures and body movement

A public show where moving pictures and sound tell a story, like a film at a cinema

A traveling American show from the 1880s that showed horse riding, shooting and frontier life

1 3.1

A window at the front of a shop that shows goods to attract people

1 7.7

A performance that uses figures and light to make moving shadows on a screen

Causing a project or process to stop because of a serious problem

1 5.5

A show that tells a story with moving images and sound like a movie

show card
  • Archaic
1 4.6

A poster that advertises a play or concert

road show
  • Jargon
1 4.8

A series of presentations in different cities to meet people who might invest

show bill
  • Archaic
1 5.8

A poster that tells people about a play or musical

raree-show
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A small box that people look into to see pictures

A light, funny show on a British seaside pier with songs and jokes

galanty show
  • Archaic
9.9

A performance that shows moving shadow figures on a screen

How Visible

to expose
67 2.8
to reveal
∞ 2.3
to show
∞ 1.0
to indicate
390 2.7
to suggest
∞ 2.1

Surface Forms

show infinitive
showing present participle
shows third person singular
showed past
shown past participle

Etymology

The word show comes from the old English sceawian, which meant 'to look' or 'to make visible', so to show something is to make it seen by others.