show-off
noun
a person given to pretentious display.
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show-off
American
[shoh-awf, -of]
/ ˈʃoʊˌɔf, -ˌɒf /
Also
showoff
noun
show-offs
plural
-
a person given to pretentious display.
- Synonyms:
- braggart, exhibitionist
-
the act of showing off.
show off
British
verb
-
(tr) to exhibit or display so as to invite admiration
-
informal (intr) to behave in such a manner as to make an impression
noun
show off
Idioms
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Sam got a little cocky, tried a show-off spin, got his bird legs tangled and took a tumble.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 6, 2026
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
Buffy is a Buff-Orpington Sussex cross and is "a bit of a show-off and a bit of a poser", said her owner.
From BBC ● May 7, 2023
Despite having the skills, Lupe's not a show-off on the field or off.
From Salon ● Aug. 21, 2022
As a child, he would sometimes talk to this star, but only when he was his most serious, real self, and not being any sort of a show-off or clown.
From "Abel's Island" by William Steig
Or was it a publicity stunt by OpenAI to show off how powerful their models are?
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
Tesla had initially planned to show off the robot earlier this year but delayed doing so, citing concerns that rivals could copy its designs.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 20, 2026
These follically challenged individuals show off bald heads at festivals and meetups, and on bald-focused social-media accounts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
Elon Musk loves to show off his Optimus prototype, recently filmed jogging in short strides.
From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026
One has a bandage on his face, one is pointing to his chest for a doctor, and one is rolling up his pants to show off what looks like a shark bite.
From "It’s Kind of a Funny Story" by Ned Vizzini
In May, state-controlled newspaper Global Times reported that an internet celebrity called Wanghongquanxing was banned from social media "amid a crackdown on online wealth show-offs."
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2024
But the show-offs want to scoop it up and run the fumble into the end zone.
From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2019
That doesn’t mean it’s an album for show-offs.
From The Verge ● Aug. 11, 2016
They typically favour loyal insiders, not show-offs who promise dramatic change.
From Economist ● Mar. 10, 2016
They were respected as a couple because they weren’t show-offs.
From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
