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 true

The study shows an increase in the disease among the elderly.

show (that):

The test results show that he could not have committed the murder.

show what/where/why etc:

Accidents like this show what can happen when drivers are not alert.

be shown to do something:

Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of getting lung cancer.

as shown by/in something:

As has been shown by our study, young people are less likely to vote.

show someone/something to be something:

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 photograph

Members receive a detailed map showing all the major tourist attractions.

show something by something:

The temperature is shown on the diagram by a red line.

show something as something:

Chemical changes are shown on the chart as small circles.

a) to give information that you can see in a film or on television

The election results were shown on television.

b) to give information that you can see on a piece of equipment that measures something

The 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 qualities

Try to show an interest in the customer's needs.

men who find it difficult to show their emotions

show your appreciation/gratitude:

The gift is intended to show our appreciation for all your hard work.

show (that):

The government has shown that it is not willing to compromise.

show what/how/why etc:

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 behave

A 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, willingness

4) [transitive] to let someone see something

show something to someone:

This is the first time the painting has been shown to the public.

show someone something:

I couldn't wait to show him the letter.

show something to advantage (= make it appear as good or impressive as possible):

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 go

show someone to something:

Let me show you to your room.

show someone into something:

She showed me into a sunny room where two children were playing.

6)

a) [transitive] to give someone instructions or an explanation

show someone how/what/which etc:

A young girl showed me how to operate the machine.

show someone something:

Can you show me the right way to do this?

b) to tell someone where something is

show someone where:

She showed me where I could leave my luggage.

7) [intransitive/transitive] if something shows, people can see it or notice it

They managed to fix it so that the break wouldn't show.

She had chosen a colour that really showed the dirt.

and it shows (= used for saying that something is very obvious):

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 it

It 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 competition

Her 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 you

We didn't think Austin would show.

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have something/nothing to show for something — to have achieved something/nothing as a result of something that you have done

They 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 done

I'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 happened

It just goes to show that you can never trust journalists.

show a profit/loss — if a company, project etc shows a profit or a loss, it makes a profit or a loss

- show your face

- show your hand

- show signs of something

- show someone who's boss

- show yourself

Phrasal verbs:

- show around

- show in

- show off

- show out

- show over

- show round

- show up

II UK [ʃəʊ] / US [ʃoʊ] noun
Word forms "show":
singular show plural shows

1) [countable] a performance, especially in a theatre

She had tickets to see the new show at the Aldwych Theatre.

The show features three new actors in the main roles.

the show opens (= appears for the first time):

She walked out three days before the show was due to open.

steal the show (= be the most impressive performer):

She only had a small part but she stole the show.

a) a television or radio programme

It's the funniest comedy show on television.

host/present a show:

I listened to a Radio 2 show hosted by Paul Jones.

a quiz/game show (= in which people answer questions and win prizes):

They spend their days watching game shows.

b) an exhibition

a fashion/flower show

c) informal any type of event or occasion

The 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 are

a 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 feelings

put on/make a show of something:

They made a show of affection for the sake of the children.

for show (= in order to give a false appearance):

The kisses and warm words were clearly just for show.

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put up a good/poor show — informal to do something well/badly

They put up a poor show against the stronger team.

- get the show on the road

- on show

See:

show of hands