Show is a very common English word with several meaningsdifferent senses or interpretations of a word or phrase. It can mean to make something visibleable to be seen or noticed, prove something, guide someone somewhere, or refer to an entertainmenta performance or activity meant to amuse people event. The exact meaning depends on how it is used in the sentence.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Pronunciation

AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).

Accent: General American English

IPA: /ʃoʊ/

Easy pronunciation: SHOW (approximate spelling).

Stress: Stress is on the only syllable.

Primary sense: verb meaning to make something visible or noticeable; reveal or display something.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Show Meaning

to let something be seen or noticed

Part of speech: verb

Definition: make something visible or noticeable; reveal or display something

Example: She showed her talent during the competition.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• display — Works well when the meaning is to make something visible.
• exhibit — A good substitute in formal contexts when something is displayed openly.
• demonstrate — Fits when someone shows a quality, skill, or feeling in a noticeable way.
• express — Works when the meaning is to reveal feelings or attitudes.
• evince — Formal word for showing evidence of a feeling or quality.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Other Meanings of Show

Meaning 2

to prove something is true

Part of speech: verb

Definition: provide evidence for something; prove or establish that something is true

Example: The blood test showed that he was the father.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• prove — Direct substitute in this evidential sense.
• demonstrate — Works when showing that something is true by evidence or argument.
• establish — Used when evidence confirms something clearly.
• testify — Can fit when something serves as evidence, though it is more often used for giving testimony.
• bear witness — Works in more formal or literary usage when something serves as evidence.

Meaning 3

to lead someone to where they should go

Part of speech: verb

Definition: take someone to their seats or guide them to a place

Example: The usher showed us to our seats.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• usher — This is the closest substitute in this seating-guidance sense.

Meaning 4

to indicate a measurement or result

Part of speech: verb

Definition: indicate a reading on a gauge, instrument, or record

Example: The thermometer showed thirteen degrees below zero.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• read — Works for instruments that give a reading.
• record — Fits when a device or record gives a measured result.
• register — Used when an instrument records or indicates a value.

Meaning 5

to point someone toward something

Part of speech: verb

Definition: point out or direct attention to a place, person, or thing

Example: I showed the customer the glove section.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• indicate — A general substitute when pointing something out.
• point — Works when physically or verbally directing attention.
• designate — More formal; fits when identifying a place or person.

Meaning 6

to present something for people to see

Part of speech: verb

Definition: present or exhibit something to an audience

Example: She shows her dogs at local competitions.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• exhibit — Good when something is displayed publicly.
• present — Works when something is formally shown to an audience.
• demonstrate — Often used for showing how something works or performs.
• demo — Informal; best for a product or skill demonstration.

Meaning 7

to be seen or become noticeable

Part of speech: verb

Definition: be or become visible or noticeable

Example: The dirt will show on white fabric.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• show up — Common phrase meaning to become visible or noticeable.

Meaning 8

to reveal feelings or traits

Part of speech: verb

Definition: give expression to a feeling, quality, or attitude

Example: She showed her disappointment.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• express — Works well for feelings and attitudes.
• evince — Formal synonym for clearly showing a feeling or quality.

Meaning 9

a performance or entertainment event

Part of speech: noun

Definition: a social event involving a public performance or entertainment

Example: They wanted to see a show on Broadway.

Meaning 10

a public display or outward sign

Part of speech: noun

Definition: the act of publicly exhibiting, demonstrating, or making a display

Example: Her calm voice was just a show of confidence.

Synonyms for this meaning:

• display — Works when show means an outward display or demonstration.
• appearance — Only fits in the sense of outward impression, not as a performance.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Show Synonyms

Similar Meaning

• display
• exhibit
• demonstrate
• express

provide evidence for / prove

• prove
• demonstrate
• establish
• testify
• bear witness

guide someone to a place

• usher

indicate a measurement or reading

• read
• record
• register

point out or direct attention

• indicate
• point
• designate

present to an audience

• exhibit
• present
• demonstrate
• demo

become visible or noticeable

• show up

show a feeling or quality

• express
• evince

a public display or outward sign

• display

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Common Mistakes

• Do not confuse show the verb with show the noun meaning a performance.
• Do not mix up show meaning 'prove' with show meaning 'display.'
• Show in the sense of guiding someone somewhere is not the same as showing a feeling or quality.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main meaning of show?

The most common everyday meaning is to make something visible or noticeable, or to let someone see it.

What are good synonyms for show?

Strong general synonyms include display, exhibit, demonstrate, and express, depending on the sense.

Is show always a verb?

No. Show can be a verb, as in 'show me the way,' or a noun, as in 'a TV show.'

What is the difference between show and prove?

Show can mean prove in some contexts, but it also has many other meanings, such as display, indicate, or guide someone somewhere.

Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-21. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.