show-off

1 of 2

noun

ˈshō-ˌȯf 

often attributive

1

: the act of showing off

2

: one that shows off : exhibitionist

show-offy

ˈshō-ˌȯ-fē 

adjective

show off

2 of 2

verb

showed off; shown off or showed off; showing off; shows off

transitive verb

: to display proudly

wanted to show our new car off

intransitive verb

: to seek to attract attention by conspicuous behavior

boys showing off for the girls

Synonyms

Verb

• act up
• clown (around)
• cut up
• fool around
• horse around
• hotdog
• monkey (around)
• showboat
• skylark

Examples of show-off in a Sentence

Verb

the athletes warmed up, happily showing off for the crowd before the match officially started

she just wants to show off her new jewelry

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Brighton Beach can be a relentless show-off that way, your feelings be damned. —Rachel Sonis, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024

Every single day, the full sun is, like, in full show-off mode and gets swallowed up by the sea. —Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Apr. 2023

Verb

In a 2023 episode of the home renovation show, Hall and Haack proudly showed off their chicken coop which features black and white paint and a double gable roof. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

But, once regarded as strictly loungewear, Christmas jammies have gone the way of the ugly sweater: Cute, kitschy, and too good not to show off to your entire social media following. —Marisa Spyker, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1776, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1750, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Kids Definition

show-off

1 of 2 noun

ˈshō-ˌȯf

1

: the act of showing off

2

: a person who shows off

show off

2 of 2 verb

(ˈ)shō-ˈȯf

1

: to display proudly

2

: to try to attract attention by conspicuous behavior