Skip to main content
showy

showy

1 4.4
Skillful actions done to impress other people
  • adjective
  • /ˈʃoʊ.i/
translation icon : ostentoso
  • He often gives showy presentations filled with impressive visuals to engage his audience.
  • very showy
  • less showy
  • more showy

Examples

  • Someone comfortable with visual effects but not too showy.

    Blog text (22)
  • Although they lived beautifully, they weren't showy people.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • But it's Phoenix's showy-but-strong performance that really burns itself into memory.

    Blog text (19)
  • It is a very fun film that does not need to become overtly showy to be entertaining.

    Blog text (9)
  • Some basic tips for a landing page are (again) to update the content regularly, which search engines notice, and to avoid showy flash animations, which many websites use for aesthetic purposes.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The chef prepared a showy dessert that wowed all the guests at the dinner party.

  • Her showy dress sparkled under the lights, making her the center of attention.

Synonyms

pretentious
vsshowy
  • Offensive
74 7.3

Trying to seem more important or clever than you really are

can instead attract attention by genuine brilliance or virtuosity rather than pretense
flashy
vsshowy
69 4.1

Very bright or showy in a way that attracts attention

focuses more on impressive skill or brilliance rather than vulgar display
conspicuous
vsshowy
55 5.1

Easy to see and notice because it stands out

focuses on attracting admiration by brilliance or virtuosity rather than mere visibility
flamboyant
vsshowy
35 6.5

Being very bright and showy to attract attention

is more about attracting attention through brilliance or virtuosity than mere boldness
glitzy
vsshowy
13 4.8

A bright, showy look that tries to impress people

emphasizes real brilliance or virtuosity instead of superficial shine
ostentatious
vsshowy
11 7.7

To show off very expensive things to attract attention

is about attracting attention by brilliance or skillful display rather than pure exaggeration
splashy
vsshowy
7 4.9

Very bright and showy to get attention but not in good taste

highlights impressive skill or worth behind the attention rather than mere brightness
fartsy
vsshowy
  • Offensive
5 9.9

Trying to seem artistic in a showy, overdone way

seeks to impress through real skillful display rather than affected artiness
flash
vsshowy
  • UK
3 7.4

Showy in a way meant to attract attention

aims to attract attention through real brilliance or virtuosity not mere show
show-stopping
vsshowy
1 5.1

Very impressive and hard to ignore

is about attracting attention by display of brilliance rather than only by impact
exhibitionistic
vsshowy
  • NSFW
1 8.8

Acting to get a lot of attention by showing off in public

seeks admiration through skillful or brilliant display rather than dramatic exposure
zooty
vsshowy
  • Archaic
9.9

Looks very fashionable and showy, often wearing bright clothes

covers attention by display of brilliance or skill beyond mere fashion
screamy
vsshowy
8.0

Very bright or loud in style to attract attention

relies on visible brilliance or virtuosity rather than shocking effects to impress
dashy
vsshowy
  • Informal
9.2

Attractive and stylish in a bold, showy way

is about showing skillful or brilliant display rather than casual stylishness
flaunty
vsshowy
8.9

Showing off things or yourself to get attention

focuses on attracting admiration through skill or brilliant display rather than boasting

Antonyms

222 2.8

Not proud and not thinking you are better than others

27 6.5

Simple and quiet in a way that looks elegant

Compounds

8.4

A plant from northwestern United States with large, bright pink, light purple, or white flowers

A tall plant from North America with bright yellow flower clusters and smooth stems

A pale pink wild orchid with a pouch-like lower petal

A wild North American orchid with pale pink and white flowers and a large pouch

A plant with large purple and pink star-shaped flowers that attract butterflies

9.9

An orchid from North America with a tall spike of purple and white flowers whose petals form a hood

A performance that tries to get attention by being loud or dramatic

A tall plant with large yellow flower heads often grown in gardens

How Showy

flamboyant
35 6.5
flashy
69 4.1
showy
1 4.4
decorative
49 3.9
plain
50 2.5

Surface Forms

showy positive
showier comparative
showiest superlative

Morphology

showy = show (transparent) = show + y

Direct adjective formation from 'show' with '-y' conveying 'characterized by display', so the sense 'conspicuous to impress others' is transparent.

Etymology

Showy comes from the common word show, meaning 'to display', with the ending -y meaning 'full of'. Think of a 'show-off' who wants to impress; a showy skill or action is done to attract attention and impress others.