showboat

UK: /ˈʃəʊˌbəʊt/ US: /ˈʃoʊˌboʊt/ ,(shō′bōt′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

show•boat /ˈʃoʊˌboʊt/   n. [countable]

1. Nautical, Naval Terms, Show Business a boat used as a traveling theater.
2. show-off.

v. [no object]

3. Sport to perform or behave in a showy way;
   show off.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

show•boat  (shō′bōt′), n. 

1. Nautical, Naval Terms, Show Business a boat, esp. a paddle-wheel steamer, used as a traveling theater.
2. [Informal.] show-off (def. 1).
3. Sport a person, esp. an athlete, who performs in an ostentatiously sensational manner calculated to draw attention;
   show-off.

v.i. 

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

Also, show′boat′er (for defs. 2, 3).

• show + boat 1865–70, American.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

showboat / ˈʃəʊˌbəʊt/ noun

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

verb

1. (intransitive) to perform or behave in a showy and flamboyant way