show-off
noun
a person given to pretentious display.
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
A former reality TV contestant is a "self-obsessed show-off" who will do anything to boost his own fame, a court heard.
From BBC ● Dec. 9, 2022
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
“Hey, Coach,” Jim Don said, “let me guard the show-off rookie.”
From "The Great Santini" by Pat Conroy
The late 1700s were a heyday of botanical exploration, and orange trees from China were exported en masse across Europe to families who wanted to show off their newfound wealth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 26, 2026
Conferences are a chance for political parties to enjoy each other's company, but also to show off to the country.
From BBC ● Sep. 26, 2026
Lee started the event earlier this year after seeing how her friends reveled in hacking old hardware but had nowhere to show off their reimagined contraptions.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 22, 2026
Tesla was initially meant to show off the latest version of the robot earlier this year, but canceled its plans.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 17, 2026
“What, you disapprove of my purse?” asked Lazlo, holding it up to show off its gaudy brooch to best advantage.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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
If they were a bunch of work-shy show-offs, Swedes would surely have noticed the inequality by now.
From Economist ● Mar. 10, 2016
They had a tendency to be show-offs and eat spicy food.
From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan
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.
