show-off
[shoh-awf, -of]
- a person given to pretentious display.
- the act of showing off.
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Origin of show-off
First recorded in 1770–80; noun use of verb phrase show off
Synonyms
See more synonyms for show-off on Thesaurus.com1. exhibitionist, braggart.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for show-off
Contemporary Examples
Even his theater-buff costars thought he was “right on the money” and “absolutely not a show-off,” despite his celebrity status.
Historical Examples
Well, he'll see then that this kind of thing was all show-off, and bluff, won't he?
Alice AdamsBooth Tarkington
Once or twice, when I've paid calls with mamma, they were so fussy and show-off.
Robin RedbreastMary Louisa Molesworth
What a prancing, show-off, matinée fool you've made me look!
Does he then hang out a profession that is not true to the kernel of things, but only a show-off for impression's sake?
Studies of ChristianityJames Martineau
She graduates and comes home and there are a lot of "doings" which she attends, then comes the show-off which is called a debut.
Evening Round UpWilliam Crosbie Hunter
Word Origin and History for show-off
n.
1776, "a display;" see show (v.) + off (adv.). From 1801 as "a deliberate and ostentatious display;" in reference to the person who makes such a display, attested from 1924. The verbal phrase is first recorded 1793 as "make a conspicuous and obvious display." Noun showing-off is from 1874.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper