showboat

[ shoh-boht ]

noun

1. a boat, especially a paddle-wheel steamer, used as a traveling theater.
2. Informal. show-off ( def 1 ).
3. a person, especially an athlete, who performs in an ostentatiously sensational manner calculated to draw attention; show-off.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform or behave in an outrageous or spectacular manner.

showboat

/ ˈʃəʊˌbəʊt /

noun

1. a paddle-wheel river steamer with a theatre and a repertory company

verb

1. intr to perform or behave in a showy and flamboyant way

Word History and Origins

Origin of showboat¹

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; show + boat

Example Sentences

There’s also a difference between probing a candidate’s statements for weak points and showboating to please the man Baier was afraid to anger on election night 2020.

From Salon

The second game was filled with showboating Padres who taunted bottle-throwing fans.

From Los Angeles Times

They were supposed to still be furious at how the Padres had showboated their way to a Game 2 victory that incited Dodger Stadium fans into idiocy, right?

From Los Angeles Times

She was showboating at the bell, dancing while already knowing the victory was hers, before the pair shared a warm embrace.

From BBC

His passionate yet unpretentious style contrasted with the showboating of some of the other lawyers.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alarm
• astonish
• daunt
• dazzle
• flabbergast
• frighten
• horrify
• impress
• intimidate
• scare
• startle
• stun
• stupefy
• terrify