Jump to:

• show-off
  show-off

  noun

  a person given to pretentious display.
• show off
  show off

  verb

  (tr) to exhibit or display so as to invite admiration

show-off

American  

[shoh-awf, -of] / ˈʃoʊˌɔf, -ˌɒf /

Also showoff

noun

1. a person given to pretentious display.

   Synonyms:

   braggart, exhibitionist

2. the act of showing off.

---

show off British  

verb

1. (tr) to exhibit or display so as to invite admiration

2. informal (intr) to behave in such a manner as to make an impression

---

noun

1. informal a person who makes a vain display of himself

show off Idioms  

1. Display in an ostentatious, conspicuous way; also, seek attention by displaying one's accomplishments, abilities, or possessions. For example, I'm wearing shorts to show off my Florida tan, or Karen loved showing off her new baby to her friends, or There's no need to show off, Fred; we all know you're a good dancer. [Early 1800s]

---

Other Word Forms

• show-offish
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of show-off

First recorded in 1770–80; noun use of verb phrase show off

Explanation

If you tend to brag about your accomplishments or flaunt your possessions, you're a show-off. If you make sure everyone in your art class notices your brand new laptop, they'll call you a show-off. It's important to a show-off that everyone notices them. Whether bragging about their grade on the math test, parading their fancy new hat through the school hallways, or demonstrating their ability to juggle five oranges at once, a show-off really enjoys spectators. The verb show off came first, while the noun appeared around 1920, defined as "a person who makes a deliberate and ostentatious display."

Example Sentences

Baz Luhrmann, the master showman, or at least show-off, of musical cinema, gives fair notice of his purpose in a big-screen offering tailored to IMAX, “EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

His decision has stirred discussion on social media, where some have called Macron "kéké", which is French slang for a show-off.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

Seeking eternal life, he learns the secret of 72 Transformations from a venerated Buddhist teacher and then becomes an irreverent show-off.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 1, 2025

When she boasted of speaking five languages, being an avid skier, having a master's degree and studying for her interior design license, I rolled my eyes, labelling her an overachieving show-off like her husband.

From Salon • Jul. 19, 2022

It was so plain and austere, very different from most West Side houses, with their gaudy furniture and show-off decorations.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Related Words

• brag
• flaunt