v. & n.
v. (past part. shown or showed) 1 intr. & tr. be, or allow or cause to be, visible; manifest; appear (the buds are beginning to show; white shows the dirt). 2 tr. (often foll. by to) offer, exhibit, or produce (a thing) for scrutiny etc. (show your tickets please; showed him my poems). 3 tr. a indicate (one's feelings) by one's behaviour etc. (showed mercy to him). b indicate (one's feelings to a person etc.) (showed him particular favour). 4 intr. (of feelings etc.) be manifest (his dislike shows). 5 tr. a demonstrate; point out; prove (has shown it to be false; showed that he knew the answer). b (usu. foll. by how to + infin.) cause (a person) to understand or be capable of doing (showed them how to knit). 6 tr. (refl.) exhibit oneself as being (showed herself to be fair). 7 tr. & intr. (with ref. to a film) be presented or cause to be presented. 8 tr. exhibit (a picture, animal, flower, etc.) in a show. 9 tr. (often foll. by in, out, up, etc.) conduct or lead (showed them to their rooms). 10 intr. = show up 3 (waited but he didn't show). 11 intr. US finish in the first three in a race.
n. 1 the act or an instance of showing; the state of being shown. 2 a a spectacle, display, exhibition, etc. (a fine show of blossom). b a collection of things etc. shown for public entertainment or in competition (dog show; flower show). 3 a a play etc., esp. a musical. b a light entertainment programme on television etc. c any public entertainment or performance. 4 a an outward appearance, semblance, or display (made a show of agreeing; a show of strength). b empty appearance; mere display (did it for show; that's all show). 5 colloq. an undertaking, business, etc. (sold the whole show). 6 colloq. an opportunity of acting, defending oneself, etc. (gave him a fair show; made a good show of it). 7 Med. a discharge of blood etc. from the vagina at the onset of childbirth. give the show (or whole show) away demonstrate the inadequacies or reveal the truth. good (or bad or poor) show! colloq. 1 that was well (or badly) done. 2 that was lucky (or unlucky). nothing to show for no visible result of (effort etc.). on show being exhibited. show business colloq. the theatrical profession. show-card a card used for advertising. show one's cards = show one's hand. show cause Law allege with justification. show a clean pair of heels colloq. retreat speedily; run away. show one's colours make one's opinion clear. show a person the door dismiss or eject a person. show one's face make an appearance; let oneself be seen. show fight be persistent or belligerent. show the flag see FLAG(1). show forth archaic exhibit; expound. show one's hand 1 disclose one's plans. 2 reveal one's cards. show house (or flat etc.) a furnished and decorated house (or flat etc.) on a new estate shown to prospective buyers. show in see sense 9 of v. show a leg colloq. get out of bed. show off 1 display to advantage. 2 colloq. act pretentiously; display one's wealth, knowledge, etc. show-off n. colloq. a person who shows off. show of force proof that one is prepared to use force. show of hands raised hands indicating a vote for or against, usu. without being counted. show oneself 1 be seen in public. 2 see sense 6 of v. show out see sense 9 of v. show-piece 1 an item of work presented for exhibition or display. 2 an outstanding example or specimen. show-place a house etc. that tourists go to see. show round take (a person) to places of interest; act as guide for (a person) in a building etc. show-stopper colloq. a performance receiving prolonged applause. show one's teeth reveal one's strength; be aggressive. show through 1 be visible although supposedly concealed. 2 (of real feelings etc.) be revealed inadvertently. show trial esp. hist. a judicial trial designed by the State to terrorize or impress the public. show up 1 make or be conspicuous or clearly visible. 2 expose (a fraud, impostor, inferiority, etc.). 3 colloq. appear; be present; arrive. 4 colloq. embarrass or humiliate (don't show me up by wearing jeans). show the way 1 indicate what has to be done etc. by attempting it first. 2 show others which way to go etc. show the white feather appear cowardly (see also white feather). show willing display a willingness to help etc. show-window a window for exhibiting goods etc.
[ ME f. OE sceawian f. WG: cf. SHEEN ]