/ ʃəʊ; NAmE ʃoʊ/ verb , noun
■ verb
( showed , shown / ʃəʊn; NAmE ʃoʊn/ or, rarely, showed )
MAKE CLEAR
1.
to make sth clear; to prove sth :
[ v ( that )]
The figures clearly show that her claims are false.
[ vn that ]
Market research has shown us that people want quality, not just low prices.
[ vn ]
a report showing the company's current situation
[ vn to inf ]
His new book shows him to be a first-rate storyteller.
[ v wh- ]
This shows how people are influenced by TV advertisements.
[also vn wh- ]
LET SB SEE STH
2.
show sth (to sb) | show (sb) sth to let sb see sth :
[ vn ]
If there's a letter from France please show it to me.
You have to show your ticket as you go in.
[ vn , vnn ]
Have you shown your work to anyone?
Have you shown anyone your work?
TEACH
3.
show sth to sb | show sb sth to help sb to do sth by letting them watch you do it or by explaining it :
[ vn , vnn ]
She showed the technique to her students.
She showed her students the technique.
[ vn wh- ]
Can you show me how to do it?
POINT
4.
to point to sth so that sb can see where or what it is :
[ vnn ]
He showed me our location on the map.
[ vn wh- ]
Show me which picture you drew.
GUIDE
5.
to lead or guide sb to a place :
[ vn + adv. / prep. ]
The attendant showed us to our seats.
We were shown into the waiting room.
[ vnn ]
I'll go first and show you the way .
➡ note at take
QUALITY / BEHAVIOUR / FEELING
6.
to make it clear that you have a particular quality :
[ vn ]
to show great courage
[ vn - adj ]
She had shown herself unable to deal with money.
[ vn to inf ]
He has shown himself to be ready to make compromises.
[also v that ]
7.
show sth (for / to sb) | show (sb) sth to behave in a particular way towards sb :
[ vn , vnn ]
They showed no respect for their parents.
They showed their parents no respect.
8.
if a feeling or quality shows , or if you show it, people can see it :
[ v ]
Fear showed in his eyes.
She tried not to let her disappointment show.
She's nearly forty now. And it shows (= it's obvious) .
[ vn ]
Her expression showed her disappointment.
James began to show signs of impatience.
[ v wh- ]
She tried not to show how disappointed she was.
BE VISIBLE
9.
if sth shows , people can see it. If sth shows a mark, dirt, etc., the mark can be seen :
[ v ]
She had a warm woollen hat on that left only her eyes and nose showing.
[ vn ]
Their new white carpet showed every mark.
INFORMATION
10.
[ vn ] (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to give particular information, or a time or measurement :
The map shows the principal towns and rivers.
The clock showed midnight.
The end-of-year accounts show a loss.
OF PICTURE / PHOTOGRAPH
11.
show sth | show sb (as sth) to be of sb/sth; to represent sb/sth :
[ vn ]
She had objected to a photo showing her in a bikini.
[also vn -ing ]
FOR PUBLIC TO SEE
12.
to be or make sth available for the public to see :
[ v ]
The movie is now showing at all major movie theaters.
[ vn ]
The movie is being shown now.
She plans to show her paintings early next year.
PROVE
13.
[ no passive ] ( informal ) to prove that you can do sth or are sth :
[ vn ]
They think I can't do it, but I'll show them!
[ vn to inf ]
He has shown himself to be a caring father.
[also vnn ]
ARRIVE
14.
[ v ] ( informal , especially NAmE ) to arrive where you have arranged to meet sb or do sth :
I waited an hour but he didn't show.
—see also show up
ANIMAL
15.
[ vn ] to enter an animal in a competition
•
IDIOMS
- it goes to show
- show sb the door
- show your face
- show your hand / cards
- show sb who's boss
- show the way
- show willing
- (have) something, nothing, etc. to show for sth
—more at flag noun , pace noun , rope noun
•
PHRASAL VERBS
- show sb around / round (sth)
- show off
- show sb/sth off
- show through | show through sth
- show up
- show up | show sth up
- show sb up
■ noun
ENTERTAINMENT
1.
[ C ] a theatre performance, especially one that includes singing and dancing :
to go to a show
a one-woman / -man show
to put on / stage a show
She's the star of the show !
—see also floor show , roadshow
2.
[ C ] a programme on television or the radio :
to host a show
a TV / radio show
a quiz show
—see also chat show , game show , roadshow , talk show
OF COLLECTION OF THINGS
3.
[ C , U ] an occasion when a collection of things are brought together for people to look at :
an agricultural show
The latest computers will be on show at the exhibition.
—see also fashion show , peep show
OF FEELING
4.
[ C ] an action or a way of behaving that shows how you feel
SYN display :
a show of emotion
a show of support
a show of force / strength by the army.
INSINCERE ACT
5.
[ U , sing. ] something that is done only to give a good impression, but is not sincere :
He may seem charming, but it's all show!
She pretends to be interested in opera, but it's only for show .
He made a great show of affection, but I knew he didn't mean it.
COLOURFUL SIGHT
6.
[ C , U ] a brightly coloured or pleasing sight
SYN display :
a lovely show of spring flowers
EVENT / SITUATION
7.
[ sing. ] ( informal ) an event, a business or a situation where sth is being done or organized :
She runs the whole show.
I won't interfere—it's your show.
GOOD / POOR SHOW
8.
[ C , usually sing. ] ( informal , especially BrE ) something that is done in a particular way :
The team put on a good show in the competition.
It's a poor show if he forgets your birthday.
•
IDIOMS
- for show
- get the show on the road
- (jolly) good show!
- a show of hands
—more at steal
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English scēawian look at, inspect , from a West Germanic base meaning look; related to Dutch schouwen and German schauen .