showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē How to pronounce showy (audio)
showier; showiest
Synonyms of showy
1
: making an attractive show : striking
a showy orchid
2
: given to or marked by a flashy often tasteless display
showily
ˈshō-ə-lē How to pronounce showy (audio)
adverb
showiness
ˈshō-ē-nəs How to pronounce showy (audio)
noun

Synonyms of showy

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showy, pretentious, ostentatious mean given to excessive outward display.

showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

Examples of showy in a Sentence

Perhaps you should wear something a little less showy. orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The modern version is far more sumptuous than the hard-wearing trousers of our youth—an everyman’s velvet, rich but rarely showy. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 This is the logo-less—but twice as expensive—handbag next to a showy LV one. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Garfield’s is the showier performance but Yura Borisov‘s depiction as a man slowly realizing how he’s been had is Richard-Gere-at-the-end-of-Primal-Fear-level stuff. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026 While the punk rock scene that spawned them was about overthrowing the bloated rock royalty of the ‘60s and mid-‘70s, punk was still showy and flamboyant; Joy Division were nothing of the sort. — Jem Aswad, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showy

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of showy was in 1697

Rhymes for showy

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Browse Nearby Words

show window
showy
showyard
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Cite this Entry

“Showy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showy. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

showy

adjective
ˈshō-ē How to pronounce showy (audio)
showier; showiest
1
: attracting attention : striking
showy blossoms
2
: given to or marked by much outward display : gaudy
showy jewelry
showily
ˈshō-ə-lē How to pronounce showy (audio)
adverb
showiness
ˈshō-ē-nəs How to pronounce showy (audio)
noun
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