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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
show verb (past tense showed, past participle shown or showed, present participle showing) 1 tr & intr to make or become visible, known or noticeable • Does my embarrassment show? 2 to present to view. 3 to display or exhibit. 4 to prove, indicate or reveal • This shows us that man evolved from the ape. 5 to prove oneself or itself to be • He always shows himself to be such a gentleman. 6 to teach by demonstrating • She showed me how to draw. 7 to lead, guide or escort • I'll show you to the door. 8 to give • Show him some respect. 9 to represent or manifest • The exam results show a marked improvement. 10 intrans said of a cinema film, theatre production, etc: to be part of a current programme • Rob Roy is now showing at the local Odeon. 11 intrans, slang to appear or arrive • What time did he show? noun 1 an act of showing. 2 any form of entertainment or spectacle. 3 an exhibition. 4 a pretence • a show of friendship. 5 a sign or indication • The slightest show of emotion made him uncomfortable. 6 a display of true feeling. 7 colloq proceedings; affair. 8 old use, colloq effort; attempt • jolly good show. 9 medicine in childbirth: a small discharge of blood and mucus at the start of labour. for show for the sake of outward appearances; for effect. give the show away to let out or reveal a secret. have something or nothing to show have, or not have, a reward or benefit for one's efforts. on show on display; available to be seen. run the show colloq to be in charge; to take over or dominate. a show of hands a vote carried out by raising hands. steal the show see under steal.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon sceawian to look.
show someone in, out, over, round, up, etc to usher or conduct them. show off 1 to display oneself or one's talents precociously, aimed at inviting attention or admiration. 2 to behave in an ostentatious manner. See also show-off. show something off 1 to display it proudly, inviting admiration. 2 to display it to good effect • The cream rug shows off the red carpet nicely. show up 1 colloq to arrive; to turn up. 2 to be clearly visible. show someone up to embarrass or humiliate them in public. show something up to make it appear inadequate or inferior by comparison. |
show verb (past tense showed, past participle shown or showed, present participle showing) 1 tr & intr to make or become visible, known or noticeable • Does my embarrassment show? 2 to present to view. 3 to display or exhibit. 4 to prove, indicate or reveal • This shows us that man evolved from the ape. 5 to prove oneself or itself to be • He always shows himself to be such a gentleman. 6 to teach by demonstrating • She showed me how to draw. 7 to lead, guide or escort • I'll show you to the door. 8 to give • Show him some respect. 9 to represent or manifest • The exam results show a marked improvement. 10 intrans said of a cinema film, theatre production, etc: to be part of a current programme • Rob Roy is now showing at the local Odeon. 11 intrans, slang to appear or arrive • What time did he show? noun 1 an act of showing. 2 any form of entertainment or spectacle. 3 an exhibition. 4 a pretence • a show of friendship. 5 a sign or indication • The slightest show of emotion made him uncomfortable. 6 a display of true feeling. 7 colloq proceedings; affair. 8 old use, colloq effort; attempt • jolly good show. 9 medicine in childbirth: a small discharge of blood and mucus at the start of labour. for show for the sake of outward appearances; for effect. give the show away to let out or reveal a secret. have something or nothing to show have, or not have, a reward or benefit for one's efforts. on show on display; available to be seen. run the show colloq to be in charge; to take over or dominate. a show of hands a vote carried out by raising hands. steal the show see under steal.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon sceawian to look.
show someone in, out, over, round, up, etc to usher or conduct them. show off 1 to display oneself or one's talents precociously, aimed at inviting attention or admiration. 2 to behave in an ostentatious manner. See also show-off. show something off 1 to display it proudly, inviting admiration. 2 to display it to good effect • The cream rug shows off the red carpet nicely. show up 1 colloq to arrive; to turn up. 2 to be clearly visible. show someone up to embarrass or humiliate them in public. show something up to make it appear inadequate or inferior by comparison. |
show verb (past tense showed, past participle shown or showed, present participle showing) 1 tr & intr to make or become visible, known or noticeable • Does my embarrassment show? 2 to present to view. 3 to display or exhibit. 4 to prove, indicate or reveal • This shows us that man evolved from the ape. 5 to prove oneself or itself to be • He always shows himself to be such a gentleman. 6 to teach by demonstrating • She showed me how to draw. 7 to lead, guide or escort • I'll show you to the door. 8 to give • Show him some respect. 9 to represent or manifest • The exam results show a marked improvement. 10 intrans said of a cinema film, theatre production, etc: to be part of a current programme • Rob Roy is now showing at the local Odeon. 11 intrans, slang to appear or arrive • What time did he show? noun 1 an act of showing. 2 any form of entertainment or spectacle. 3 an exhibition. 4 a pretence • a show of friendship. 5 a sign or indication • The slightest show of emotion made him uncomfortable. 6 a display of true feeling. 7 colloq proceedings; affair. 8 old use, colloq effort; attempt • jolly good show. 9 medicine in childbirth: a small discharge of blood and mucus at the start of labour. for show for the sake of outward appearances; for effect. give the show away to let out or reveal a secret. have something or nothing to show have, or not have, a reward or benefit for one's efforts. on show on display; available to be seen. run the show colloq to be in charge; to take over or dominate. a show of hands a vote carried out by raising hands. steal the show see under steal.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon sceawian to look.
show someone in, out, over, round, up, etc to usher or conduct them. show off 1 to display oneself or one's talents precociously, aimed at inviting attention or admiration. 2 to behave in an ostentatious manner. See also show-off. show something off 1 to display it proudly, inviting admiration. 2 to display it to good effect • The cream rug shows off the red carpet nicely. show up 1 colloq to arrive; to turn up. 2 to be clearly visible. show someone up to embarrass or humiliate them in public. show something up to make it appear inadequate or inferior by comparison. |
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The Chambers Dictionary (13th edition)
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The Chambers Thesaurus
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Chambers Biographical Dictionary
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Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.
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