showboat

showboat [shoh-boht] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for showboat on Thesaurus.com noun Also show·boat·er (for defs 2, 3).

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)

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

Origin of showboat An Americanism dating back to 1865–70; show + boat Related Words for showboat conceit, hypocrisy, snobbery, pomposity, pageant, parade, fair, appearance, program, spectacle, presentation, display, array, exhibit, demonstration, act, example, sausage, frankfurter, dismay Examples from the Web for showboat Contemporary Examples of showboat

Then he told the story of the day he tried to sit in with the professionals at the Showboat Club in Philadelphia.

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October 5, 2014

Later—especially on The Last Waltz—Robbie became a bit of a showboat.

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Andrew Romano

October 14, 2013

Blvd. in the 1980s, and St. Charles Place (cost: $140) was razed for the Showboat Hotel, which opened in 1986.

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Historical Examples of showboat

And here, in the spring of the year, the calliope could be heard far down the Ohio as the showboat steamed into view.

Blue Ridge Country

Jean Thomas

British Dictionary definitions for showboat showboat noun

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

verb

2. (intr) to perform or behave in a showy and flamboyant way

Word Origin and History for showboat n.

also show-boat, 1838, “river boat on which theatrical performances are given,” from show (n.) + boat (n.). The verb meaning “to show off” is attested from 1951.