Meaning of show In English

• 0 to make it possible for something to be seen:

  • [ + two objects ] Let me show you this new book I've just bought.

  • On this map, urban areas are shown in grey.

  • You ought to show that rash to your doctor.

  • [ + obj + question word ] Why won't you show me what's in your hand?

  • [ + obj + -ing verb ] The secretly filmed video shows the prince and princess kissing.

  • These photographs show the effects of the chemical on the trees.

  • He began to show signs of recovery.

  • "This is a Victorian gold coin." "Is it? Show me (= allow me to see it)."

• 1 to record or express a number or measurement:

  • The right-hand dial shows the temperature, and the left-hand one shows the air pressure.

  • The company showed a loss of $2 million last year.

  • The latest crime figures show a sharp rise in burglaries.

• 2 to explain something to someone, by doing it or by giving instructions or examples:

  • [ + question word ] Can you show me how to set the DVD player?

  • This dictionary contains many examples that show how words are actually used.

  • Could you show me the way to the bus station?

• 3 to prove something or make the truth or existence of something known:

  • She has shown herself (to be) a highly competent manager.

  • His diaries show him to have been an extremely insecure person.

  • [ + (that) ] The diaries show (that) he was very insecure.

  • Show me (that) I can trust you.

  • [ + question word ] Our research has shown (us) how little we know about this disease.

• 4 to express ideas or feelings using actions or words:

  • He finds it difficult to show affection.

  • She showed enormous courage when she rescued him from the fire.

  • [ + two objects ] You should show your parents more respect/show more respect to your parents.

• 5 to be easy to see or notice:

  • "Oh no, I've spilled red wine on my jacket!" "Don't worry, it doesn't show."

  • Whatever she's thinking, she never lets it show.

  • I've painted over the graffiti twice, but it still shows through.

  • The drug does not show up in blood tests because it is effective in very small quantities.

  • When we moved in, the house hadn't been decorated for 20 years, and it showed.

  • Once she started to show, people started treating her differently.

  • Although I'm not showing yet, my baby is due in the spring.

  • Recently, he's really starting to show his age.

• 6 to make an artist's work available for the public to see:

  • Our aim is to make it easier for young unknown artists to show their work.

  • It's the first time this movie has been shown on television.

  • Now showing at a cinema near you!

• 7 to show up informal

• 8 to take someone somewhere by going there with them:

  • Could you show Dr Sanchez into the living room?

  • The waiter showed us to our table.

• 9 to fail to hide something, or to make it possible to see or know something that is not intended to be seen or known:

  • Your shirt's so thin that it shows your bra.

  • Light-coloured carpets show the dirt.

  • [ + question word ] His failure in the exams shows (up) just how bad his teachers are.

• 10 to make someone understand something by directing their attention to it:

  • Can you show me where it hurts?

  • Show me which one you want.

• 11 a theatre performance or a television or radio programme that is entertaining rather than serious:

  • a radio/television/stage show

  • a quiz/game show

  • Why don't we go to London on Saturday and see a show?

  • We had to raise £60,000 to stage the show.

  • We had a puppet show for Jamie's birthday party.

• 12 an event at which a group of related things are available for the public to look at:

  • a fashion/flower show

  • There were some amazing new cars at the motor show.

  • They put on a retrospective show of his work at the National Museum of American Art.

  • Her sculptures will be on show at the museum until the end of the month.

• 13 an action that makes other people know what your feelings, beliefs, or qualities are:

  • In a show of solidarity, the management and workers have joined forces to campaign against the closure of the factory.

  • Over 100 military vehicles paraded through the capital in a show of strength.

  • She may not have won, but she certainly put up a good show.

• 14 an appearance of something that is not really sincere or real:

  • Despite its public show of unity, the royal family had its share of disagreements just like any other.

  • They put on a show of being interested, but I don't think they really were.

  • Do the lights on this phone have any useful function or are they just/only for show?

• 15 an activity, business, or organization, considered in relation to who is managing it:

  • Who will run the show when Meg retires?

  • The wedding is their show - let them do it their way.

• 16 a small amount of blood and mucus (= thick liquid) that comes out of the vagina at the start of labour (= the process of giving birth):

  • the bloody show

• 17 to cause or allow something to be seen:

  • You should show that rash to your doctor.

  • These trees show the effects of acid rain.

  • He’s starting to show his age.

• 18 to express your feelings or opinion by your actions or words:

  • I do not know how to show my thanks for all your help.

  • He is a scrappy lawyer and shows no mercy to any opponent.

• 19 to explain something to someone by helping to do it or by giving instructions or examples to copy:

  • [ + question word ] The diagram shows how to fit the pieces together.

• 20 to make something clear or prove something to be true:

  • Your writing shows you can be a good writer.

  • He has shown himself to be unreliable.

• 21 to be able to be seen or noticed, or to make something noticeable:

  • [ I ] I’ve been working for hours, and I’ve got nothing to show for it.

• 22 to lead someone somewhere or to point out something:

  • Could you show me the way to the post office?

  • Show me which cake you want.

• 23 to record or express an amount, number, or measurement:

  • My barometer shows a change in the weather is coming.

• 24 to appear at a gathering or event:

  • Jenny said she'd be here, but she never showed.

• 25 to make an artist's work available for the public to see:

  • [ T ] This gallery is a place where young artists can show their work.

  • [ T ] That channel often shows foreign films.

• 26 a performance in a theater, a movie, or a television or radio program:

  • a stage/talk show

• 27 an event at which the public can view a particular collection of things:

  • a flower show

  • a fashion show

• 28 an activity, business, or organization, considered in relation to who is managing it:

  • Who will run the show when the boss retires?

• 29 an appearance of something that is not really sincere or real:

  • [ C ] Ray made a show of reaching for his wallet.

  • [ U ] Does this fireplace work or is it just for show?

  • [ U ] Half for show and half in real anger, I stood up and shouted, “I'm not your friend!”

• 30 an event at which goods and services, or information about them, are displayed so that people can decide whether to buy them:

  • a fashion/technology/trade show

  • We try to schedule our show ahead of Tucson so dealers can leave here and go straight there.

  • What is the future of green automotive business at the Detroit auto show?

• 31 a broadcast on television or radio:

  • You can watch reruns of the show on the Internet.

  • a television/TV/radio show

  • a news/reality/cooking show

  • a show about sth We saw a show about the space program.

  • a show on sth I love that new show on the history channel.

• 32 a situation in which people raise one of their hands to show that they support or agree with something or in order to vote for something:

  • Very few attendees belonged to senior management, according to a show of hands.

• 33 available for people to see:

  • An exhibition of her photographs is currently on show in London.