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show-off

/ˌʃoʊ ˈɔf/
/ˈʃʌʊɒf/
IPA guide

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."

Definitions of show-off
  1. noun
    someone who deliberately behaves in such a way as to attract attention
    synonyms: exhibitionist, showboat
    see moresee less
    types:
    grandstander
    someone who performs with an eye to the applause from spectators in the grandstand
    hot dog, hotdog
    someone who performs dangerous stunts to attract attention to himself
    poser, poseur
    a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not
    poseuse
    a woman poseur
    type of:
    egoist, egotist, swellhead
    a conceited and self-centered person
Pronunciation
US
/ˌʃoʊ ˈɔf/
UK
/ˈʃʌʊɒf/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘show-off'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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