show

The word “show” means to let someone see something. In plain terms, to let something be seen or proven, or (as a noun) an entertainment programme or a false appearance.

“Show” is pronounced shoh (/ʃoʊ/ in IPA).

Here is “show” used in a sentence: “Can you show me how this works?”

Words with a similar meaning to “show” include big leagues.

The opposite of “show” — its antonyms — are conceal, cover up, hide, refute and disprove.

Depending on how it is used, “show” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “show” comes from Latin. From Old English scēawian ("to look at, display"), related to modern "sheen" and distantly to Latin words behind "caution" and "caveat".

“Show” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

The simple past tense is "showed," as in "she showed me the photo." The past participle is "shown," used with "have" or "was," as in "I have shown him" or "it was shown on screen." Although "showed" occasionally appears as a participle, "shown" is the standard, preferred form in careful writing.

The main opposites are "hide" and "conceal," meaning to keep something out of sight. Depending on the sense, "cover," "disguise," or "withhold" also work. When "show" means to demonstrate or reveal information, its opposite can be "hide" or "obscure," anything that stops someone from seeing or understanding.

"Show" simply lets someone see something. "Demonstrate" goes further: it means to show clearly how something works or to prove a point, often through action or evidence. You show a friend your new coat, but you demonstrate how a machine operates. Demonstrate carries a sense of explaining or proving, not just displaying.

As a verb, "show" can mean to let someone see ("show me"), to prove or reveal ("the data shows"), to guide ("show them in"), or to teach ("show me how"). As a noun, a "show" is a performance or exhibition. The common thread is making something visible or known.