showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē 

showier; showiest

1

: making an attractive show : striking

a showy orchid

2

: given to or marked by a flashy often tasteless display

showily

ˈshō-ə-lē 

adverb

showiness

ˈshō-ē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• arresting
• bodacious
• bold
• brilliant
• catchy
• commanding
• conspicuous
• dramatic
• emphatic
• eye-catching
• flamboyant
• grabby
• kenspeckle [chiefly Scottish]
• marked
• noisy
• noticeable
• prominent
• pronounced
• remarkable
• splashy
• striking

Choose the Right Synonym for showy

showy, pretentious, ostentatious mean given to excessive outward display.

showy implies an imposing or striking appearance but usually suggests cheapness or poor taste.

the performers' showy costumes

pretentious implies an appearance of importance not justified by the thing's value or the person's standing.

a pretentious parade of hard words

ostentatious stresses vainglorious display or parade.

the ostentatious summer homes of the rich

Examples of showy in a Sentence

Perhaps you should wear something a little less showy.

orchid plants are known for their huge showy flowers

Recent Examples on the Web

In May of that year Musk revealed his Crew Dragon spacecraft to the world with a characteristically showy event at the company’s headquarters in Hawthorne. —Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 24 Sep. 2024

The movie is not visually showy, but that’s part of its appeal. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 7 Sep. 2024

Luckily, the showy bracts can hold their colors for months. —Janet B. Carson, arkansasonline.com, 2 Dec. 2024

For starters, the director suggested that Abrams get rid of the showy flash-forward scene that the script originally started with, begrudgingly written by Abrams upon the insistence of some who tried to convince him that the kick-off needed a catchy hook. —Tomris Laffly, TIME, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1697, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

showy

adjective

ˈshō-ē 

showier; showiest

1

: attracting attention : striking

showy blossoms

2

: given to or marked by much outward display : gaudy

showy jewelry

showily

ˈshō-ə-lē 

adverb

showiness

ˈshō-ē-nəs 

noun