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• 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.

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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

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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]

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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

Many media watchers have noted that Nexstar’s move to pull Jimmy Kimmel’s show off its stations last year came as the FCC was reviewing the deal to merge with Tegna.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

While “Is God Is” borrows from some of those films, it’s not trying to show off.

From Salon • May 19, 2026

And Colbert got to show off his musical chops.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Her irreverent photographs show off the style: They are framed waist down or shoulders up, from ground level or from far above.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 1, 2026

All she did was brag, brag, brag and show off.

From "Among the Hidden" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• brag
• flaunt