noun
showboat
SHOH-boht
noun
1
A river steamboat with an onboard theatre, once used for travelling entertainment.
"The showboat used to travel up and down the Mississippi."
verb
1
To show off, often in a flashy or attention-seeking way.
"He loves showboating in front of the cameras."
How to Use Showboat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo show off; historically, a floating theatre.
When to use it
The verb sense is informal and usually mildly critical.
Common pairings
stop showboating
Word Forms
showboated past tense, showboats plural, showboats singular
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The _____ used to travel up and down the Mississippi.
Etymology
From show + boat.