showy

[ shoh-ee ]

adjective

, show·i·er, show·i·est.

1. making an imposing display:

   showy flowers.

2. pompous; ostentatious; gaudy.

   Synonyms: loud

   Antonyms: humble

showy

/ ˈʃəʊɪ /

adjective

1. gaudy, flashy, or ostentatious
2. making a brilliant or imposing display

Derived Forms

• ˈshowiness, noun
• ˈshowily, adverb

Other Words From

• un·showy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of showy¹

First recorded in 1705–15; show + -y ¹

Synonym Study

See gaudy ¹, grandiose.

Example Sentences

Johnson's showy piety is even more ludicrous in light of the report's leaked details.

From Salon

But Currentzis is also controversial because he is, on one hand, an obsessive perfectionist and, on the other, a showy radical with highly original musical ideas.

From Los Angeles Times

One advantage to forgoing a showy rock ’n’ roll persona is that you never get too old to pull it off.

From Los Angeles Times

In return, she’s received a big, bleak, brave, funny, showy role that demands an entire career reappraisal, plus the flattery of, at age 61, convincingly playing 50.

From Los Angeles Times

The profe was never patronizing, crusading or showy, letting the course of his life provide all the drama and humor.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• classy
• garish
• gaudy
• ornate
• ostentatious
• pretentious
• sensational
• splashy