26984 words

shows

43 definitions • 95 examples
1
to make it possible for something to be seen:

Examples:

[ + two objects ] Let me show you this new book I've just bought.
be shown in On this map, urban areas are shown in grey.
show something to someone 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.
show the effect These photographs show the effects of the chemical on the trees.
show signs He began to show signs of recovery.
"This is a Victorian gold coin." "Is it? Show me (= allow me to see it)."
2
to record or express a number or measurement:

Examples:

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.
3
to explain something to someone, by doing it or by giving instructions or examples:

Examples:

[ + question word ] Can you show me how to set the DVD player?
show how This dictionary contains many examples that show how words are actually used.
show someone the way Could you show me the way to the bus station?
4
to prove something or make the truth or existence of something known:

Examples:

show yourself (to be) something She has shown herself (to be) a highly competent manager.
show someone to be someone/something His diaries show him to have been an extremely insecure person.
[ + (that) ] The diaries show (that) he was very insecure.
show someone (that) Show me (that) I can trust you.
[ + question word ] Our research has shown (us) how little we know about this disease.
5

Examples:

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.
6
to be easy to see or notice:

Examples:

"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.
show through I've painted over the graffiti twice, but it still shows through.
show up The drug does not show up in blood tests because it is effective in very small quantities.
it shows When we moved in, the house hadn't been decorated for 20 years, and it showed.
7
When a pregnant woman shows, it is possible to see that she is pregnant:

Examples:

Once she started to show, people started treating her differently.
Although I'm not showing yet, my baby is due in the spring.
8
to look as old as you really are:

Examples:

start to show your age Recently, he's really starting to show his age.
9
to make an artist's work available for the public to see:

Examples:

Our aim is to make it easier for young unknown artists to show their work.
10
If a cinema or television station shows a film or programme, or if a film or programme is showing somewhere, you can see it there:

Examples:

It's the first time this movie has been shown on television.
Now showing at a cinema near you!
11
to
12
to take someone somewhere by going there with them:

Examples:

Could you show Dr Sanchez into the living room?
show someone to something The waiter showed us to our table.
13
to fail to hide something, or to make it possible to see or know something that is not intended to be seen or known:

Examples:

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.
14
to make someone understand something by directing their attention to it:

Examples:

Can you show me where it hurts?
Show me which one you want.
15
to finish in one of the top three positions in a horse race:

Examples:

Two of the horses won, one of the horses placed and two others showed.
The horse finished second, so I won $8 because I bet on it to show.
16

Examples:

television show She finishes watching her favourite television show at 10pm every night, and then goes out with friends.
radio show He hosted a morning radio show on the local station for 10 years.
stage show We had seen the broadcast of the play, but got tickets to see the stage show in person.
quiz/game show She hosts one of TV's most popular quiz/game shows.
see a show Why don't we go to London on Saturday and see a show?
stage a show We had to raise £60,000 to stage the show.
puppet show We had a puppet show for Jamie's birthday party.
17
an event at which a group of related things are available for the public to look at:

Examples:

fashion/flower show The annual fashion/flower show will showcase work from more than 30 designers.
motor show There were some amazing new cars at the motor show.
retrospective show of They put on a retrospective show of his work at the National Museum of American Art.
18
Something that is on show has been made available for the public to look at:

Examples:

Her sculptures will be on show at the museum until the end of the month.
19

Examples:

When the pitcher was first brought up from the minors, some of his teammates thought he wasn't ready to play in the show.
20
an action that makes other people know what your feelings, beliefs, or qualities are:

Examples:

show of In a show of solidarity, the management and workers have joined forces to campaign against the closure of the factory.
show of strength Over 100 military vehicles paraded through the capital in a show of strength.
21
an activity or piece of work that appears to be done with great, little, etc. effort:

Examples:

put up a good show She may not have won, but she certainly put up a good show.
22
an appearance of something that is not really sincere or real:

Examples:

show of Despite its public show of unity, the royal family had its share of disagreements just like any other.
put on a show of They put on a show of being interested, but I don't think they really were.
23
Something that is for show has no practical value and is used only to improve the appearance of something else:

Examples:

just/only for show Do the lights on this phone have any useful function or are they just/only for show?
24

Examples:

run the show Who will run the show when Meg retires?
The wedding is their show - let them do it their way.
25
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):

Examples:

the bloody show
26
to cause or allow something to be seen:

Examples:

You should show that rash to your doctor.
These trees show the effects of acid rain.
He’s starting to show his age.
27
to express your feelings or opinion by your actions or words:

Examples:

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.
28
to explain something to someone by helping to do it or by giving instructions or examples to copy:

Examples:

[ + question word ] The diagram shows how to fit the pieces together.
29
to make something clear or prove something to be true:

Examples:

Your writing shows you can be a good writer.
He has shown himself to be unreliable.
30
to be able to be seen or noticed, or to make something noticeable:

Examples:

[ I ] I’ve been working for hours, and I’ve got nothing to show for it.
31
to lead someone somewhere or to point out something:

Examples:

Could you show me the way to the post office?
Show me which cake you want.
32
to record or express an amount, number, or measurement:

Examples:

My barometer shows a change in the weather is coming.
33
to appear at a gathering or event:

Examples:

Jenny said she'd be here, but she never showed.
34
to make an artist's work available for the public to see:

Examples:

[ T ] This gallery is a place where young artists can show their work.
35
To show a movie is to offer it for viewing in a movie theater or on television:

Examples:

[ T ] That channel often shows foreign films.
36

Examples:

a stage/talk show
37
an event at which the public can view a particular collection of things:

Examples:

a flower show
a fashion show
38

Examples:

Who will run the show when the boss retires?
39
an appearance of something that is not really sincere or real:

Examples:

[ 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!”
40
an event at which goods and services, or information about them, are displayed so that people can decide whether to buy them:

Examples:

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?
41

Examples:

You can watch reruns of the show on the Internet.
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.
42
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:

Examples:

Very few attendees belonged to senior management, according to a show of hands.
43
available for people to see:

Examples:

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

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