- show */*/*/
- I UK [ʃəʊ] / US [ʃoʊ]
verb
Word forms "show":
present tense I/you/we/they show he/she/it shows present participle showing past tense showed past participle shown UK [ʃəʊn] / US [ʃoʊn]1) [transitive] to prove that something exists or is trueshow (that):The study shows an increase in the disease among the elderly.
show what/where/why etc:The test results show that he could not have committed the murder.
be shown to do something:Accidents like this show what can happen when drivers are not alert.
as shown by/in something:Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of getting lung cancer.
show someone/something to be something:As has been shown by our study, young people are less likely to vote.
The drug has shown itself to be an effective treatment for depression.
2) [transitive] to give information that you can see on a printed thing such as a map or photographshow something by something:Members receive a detailed map showing all the major tourist attractions.
show something as something:The temperature is shown on the diagram by a red line.
Chemical changes are shown on the chart as small circles.
a) to give information that you can see in a film or on televisionThe election results were shown on television.
b) to give information that you can see on a piece of equipment that measures somethingThe dial showed that the pressure had fallen to a dangerously low level.
3)a) [transitive] to behave in a way that allows people to know your feelings, opinions, or personal qualitiesTry to show an interest in the customer's needs.
show your appreciation/gratitude:men who find it difficult to show their emotions
show (that):The gift is intended to show our appreciation for all your hard work.
show what/how/why etc:The government has shown that it is not willing to compromise.
They have shown what they think of our suggestion.
b) [intransitive] if your feelings or thoughts show, people know what you are feeling or thinking from the way that you behaveA deep sense of sadness showed beneath his cheerful exterior.
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Collocations:
Nouns frequently used as objects of show
▪ affection, appreciation, compassion, emotion, feelings, gratitude, interest, reluctance, respect, willingness4) [transitive] to let someone see somethingshow something to someone:show someone something:This is the first time the painting has been shown to the public.
show something to advantage (= make it appear as good or impressive as possible):I couldn't wait to show him the letter.
The display is designed to show the dresses to advantage.
5) [transitive] to lead someone somewhere, for example because they do not know where to goshow someone to something:show someone into something:Let me show you to your room.
She showed me into a sunny room where two children were playing.
6)a) [transitive] to give someone instructions or an explanationshow someone how/what/which etc:show someone something:A young girl showed me how to operate the machine.
Can you show me the right way to do this?
b) to tell someone where something isshow someone where:She showed me where I could leave my luggage.
7) [intransitive/transitive] if something shows, people can see it or notice itThey managed to fix it so that the break wouldn't show.
and it shows (= used for saying that something is very obvious):She had chosen a colour that really showed the dirt.
They used the cheapest materials they could find, and it shows.
8) [intransitive/transitive] if someone shows a film or a television programme, or if it is showing, people can see itIt was the first time the film was shown on television.
Now showing at a cinema near you!
9) [transitive] to put something such as a work of art, an animal, or a plant in an exhibition or competitionHer work was first shown at a gallery in Munich.
I've been showing my dogs for over ten years.
10) show or show up[intransitive] informal to arrive in a place where people are expecting youWe didn't think Austin would show.
•have something/nothing to show for something
— to have achieved something/nothing as a result of something that you have doneThey had absolutely nothing to show for weeks of hard work.
I'll show you/him/them etc
— spoken used for talking about what you intend to do as an angry reaction to what someone has said or doneI'll show them who's the failure in this family!
it shows/goes to show
— mainly spoken used for saying that a particular fact is proved by what has happenedIt just goes to show that you can never trust journalists.
Phrasal verbs:show a profit/loss
— if a company, project etc shows a profit or a loss, it makes a profit or a loss- show in- show off- show out- show up
II UK [ʃəʊ] / US [ʃoʊ] noun
Word forms "show":
singular show plural shows1) [countable] a performance, especially in a theatreShe had tickets to see the new show at the Aldwych Theatre.
the show opens (= appears for the first time):The show features three new actors in the main roles.
steal the show (= be the most impressive performer):She walked out three days before the show was due to open.
She only had a small part but she stole the show.
a) a television or radio programmehost/present a show:It's the funniest comedy show on television.
a quiz/game show (= in which people answer questions and win prizes):I listened to a Radio 2 show hosted by Paul Jones.
They spend their days watching game shows.
b) an exhibitiona fashion/flower show
c) informal any type of event or occasionThe interview turned out to be quite a show.
2)a) [singular] something that you do in order to make people realize what your opinions or intentions area show of force/strength:The attack was clearly intended as a show of force.
In a rare show of unity, both Catholic and Protestant leaders appeared together at yesterday's peace rally.
b) [singular/uncountable] an occasion when you pretend to have particular feelingsput on/make a show of something:for show (= in order to give a false appearance):They made a show of affection for the sake of the children.
The kisses and warm words were clearly just for show.
•put up a good/poor show
— informal to do something well/badlyThey put up a poor show against the stronger team.
- on showSee:
English dictionary. 2014.