English Meaning & Definitions
To display one's abilities, possessions, or achievements in an ostentatious or arrogant way to impress others.
- “He spent the entire afternoon showing off his new sports car to the neighbors.”
- “She didn't need to show off her fluency in French; it was obvious to everyone in the room.”
A person who behaves in an ostentatious or boastful way to attract attention.
- “Don't be such a show-off; we all know you're good at basketball.”
- “The class clown was a total show-off, constantly interrupting the teacher to make jokes.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “show off”.
The phrasal verb 'show off' emerged in the late 18th century. It combines the Middle English 'showen' (to display or present to view) with the adverbial 'off,' which in this context implies moving away from a standard or modest position to draw attention to oneself. It evolved from the sense of 'showing something off' (displaying an object to its best advantage) to the behavioral sense of a person acting in a way intended to impress others.
Imagine someone 'showing' their skills 'off' the stage because they want everyone to look at them.
Frequently Asked Questions About “show off”
1. What is the meaning of “show off” in English?
In English, show off (verb) is defined as: “To display one's abilities, possessions, or achievements in an ostentatious or arrogant way to impress others.”.
2. How do you use “show off” in a sentence?
“He spent the entire afternoon showing off his new sports car to the neighbors.”
3. What are English synonyms of “show off”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “show off”?
The phrasal verb 'show off' emerged in the late 18th century. It combines the Middle English 'showen' (to display or present to view) with the adverbial 'off,' which in this context implies moving away from a standard or modest position to draw attention to oneself. It evolved from the sense of 'showing something off' (displaying an object to its best advantage) to the behavioral sense of a person acting in a way intended to impress others.
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