show-off

See also: showoff and show off

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

A deverbal from show off.

Noun

show-off (plural show-offs)

  1. One who shows off; a person given to egotistically demonstrating their prowess or ability.
    Quit being such a show-off, before someone gets hurt.
    • 1959, Roger Barlow, Stormy Voyage‎[1], New York: Simon and Schuster:
      “Don’t tell me what to do, you double-crossing little show-off!” he grated. “Here, stand aside there, and let a man pass.”
    • 2003, Robert J. Evans, Chris Dulabone, Abducted to Oz‎[2]:
      He was still a tad disgruntled about being used as a work-horse, but he allowed this feeling to be repressed in favor of the pomp and circumstance of the parade. He was, after all, a bit of a show-off when he could get away with it. And that is a real understatement!
    • 2003, Cory Doctorow, Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom‎[3], Tor Books:
      Totally obsessive fans are a good measure of a ride’s popularity, but they’re kind of a pain in the ass, too. They lipsynch the soundtrack, cadge souvenirs and pester you with smarmy, show-off questions.

Usage notes

  • Describing someone as a show-off conveys an implicit endorsement of their capability. One can only show off if one actually has something to flaunt or demonstrate. An individual who seeks unwarranted attention is usually described more dismissively as an attention seeker or loudmouth.

Derived terms

Translations

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