Definition of Show off

1. Verb. Display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously. "He showed off his new sports car"

Exact synonyms: Flash, Flaunt, Ostentate, Swank
Generic synonyms: Display, Exhibit, Expose
Specialized synonyms: Flex, Splurge
Derivative terms: Flaunt, Ostentation, Ostentation, Show-off

Definition of Show off

1. Verb. (transitive idiomatic) To exhibit the best attributes of something. ¹

2. Verb. (transitive and intransitive idiomatic) To attract attention to for the purpose of bragging or personal exhibitionism; to demonstrate a skill, talent or property for the purpose of bragging or personal exhibitionism. ¹

3. Noun. one who shows off. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Lexicographical Neighbors of Show Off

show and tell
show ankle
show barn
show barns
show bill
show biz
show business
show card
show globe
show globes
show jumper
show jumpers
show jumping
show of force
show of hands
show off
show offs
show one's cards
show one's face
show one's hand
show one's true colors
show round
show somebody the door
show stopper
show stoppers
show the door
show the flag
show time
show trial
show up

Literary usage of Show off

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General by Thomas Spencer Baynes (1888)
"But the city itself has а тегу different aspect : its situation is relieved by numerous gentle hills, which show off to great advantage its fine public ..."

2. Proceedings by North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (1906)
"ary courtship or the instinct of the boy to show off and the girl to approve by giving attention to boys' nonsense, is cut off from the recitation. ..."

3. Woman's Share in Social Culture by Anna Garlin Spencer (1912)
"... by having in the family idle, or seemingly idle women, to "show off," while they retain for themselves the really interesting and important activities. ..."

4. A Dictionary of English Etymology by Hensleigh Wedgwood (1862)
"horse for show. G. prangen, Du. prank, ostentation, finery. Te pronk stellen, to show off; ... show off ..."

5. The Sunday Magazine by Thomas Guthrie, William Garden Blaikie, Benjamin Waugh (1869)
"So she comes forward in the character of Ilis prompter and patroness—with somewhat of a woman's and a mother's desire to show off the high dignity of her ..."

6. Talking Business by John Mantle Clapp, L. N. Andres (1919)
"Not Too Graphic — Don't Show-Off! One caution, as to the matter of graphic wording: Don't overdo it. It is only too easy to get so interested in the means ..."

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