- [countable] a programme on television or the radio
- Millions of people watch the show.
- She hosts the morning show.
- a TV/television/radio show
- a quiz show
- a reality show (= one that is based on real people, not actors)
Collocations TelevisionTelevisionWatchingsee also chat show, game show, quiz show, roadshow, talk show- watch television/TV/a show/(British English) a programme/(North American English) a program/a documentary/a pilot/a rerun/a repeat
- see (especially British English) an ad/(especially North American English) a commercial/the news/the weather
- catch/miss a show/a programme/a program/an episode/the news
- pick up/reach for/grab the remote (control)
- change/switch channel
- surf (through)/ (especially North American English) flip through/ (especially British English) flick through the channels
- sit in front of/switch on/switch off/turn on/turn off the television/the TV/the TV set
- have/install satellite (TV)/cable (TV)/a satellite dish
- show a programme/a documentary/an ad/a commercial
- screen a programme/a documentary
- run an ad/a commercial
- broadcast/ (especially North American English) air/repeat a show/a programme/a documentary/an episode/a series
- go out/air/be recorded live
- attract/draw (in)/pull (in) viewers
- be a hit with viewers/audiences/critics
- get (low/high) ratings
- be on/appear on television/TV/a TV show
- take part in a phone-in/a game show/a quiz show/a reality TV show
- host a show/a programme/series/a game show/a quiz show/a talk show/(British English) a chat show
- be/become/work as a/an (British English) TV presenter/talk-show host/sports commentator/anchorman/(British English) newsreader
- read/present the news
- appear/perform live (on TV)
- do/film/make a show/a programme/a documentary/an episode/a pilot/a series/an ad/a commercial
- work on a soap (opera)/a pilot (episode)/a sitcom
- write/produce a drama/sitcom/spin-off/comedy series
Extra ExamplesTopics TV, radio and newsa1- Did you see the Late Show?
- He appeared on Oprah Winfrey's talk show.
- She was a guest on a cookery show.
- The show was not broadcast in Canada.
- The show first aired in 2023.
- She featured in several episodes of the classic cop show.
- He starred in a popular kids' show.
- Mum always records her favourite shows even though she can get them on demand.
- A new season of the hit show is coming soon.
- a quiz show host
- a chance to catch up on all those shows you missed
- Ratings weren't good, and the show was cancelled.
- I watched the original show as a kid.
- She finally got her own comedy show.
- a character from the show
- a hot new dating show
- a nationally syndicated radio show
- What time is that show on?
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- live
- recorded
- family
- …
- see
- watch
- host
- …
- feature somebody/something
- star somebody
- business
- from a/the show
- on a/the show
- the star of the show
- [countable] a theatre performance, especially one that includes singing and dancing
- to go to/see a show
- to put on/stage a show
- The book has been turned into a stage show.
- They will perform in a live show on Saturday night.
- a one-man/one-woman show
- She's the star of the show!
Extra Examples- She hosts an open-mic comedy show.
- His dream was to appear in a Broadway show.
- They did a puppet show for the children.
- He was asked to present an awards show.
- The students are putting on a dance show.
- I always get nervous before the show.
- We got to go backstage after the show.
- a spectacular light show
- one of the acts in the show
- the Super Bowl half-time show
- a pro bodybuilding show in California
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- cabaret
- comedy
- magic
- …
- from a/the show
- in a/the show
- [countable] (North American English, informal) a concert, especially of rock music
- My first full-scale rock show was Fleetwood Mac, Madison Square Garden, back in 1977.
- [countable, uncountable] an occasion when a collection of things are brought together for people to look at
- a dog/car/gun show
- This is one of the biggest agricultural shows in Wales.
- The artist is holding her first solo show.
- on show The paintings are on show until April.
Extra Examples- The latest computers will be on show at the exhibition.
- A local artist is holding a show of her recent work.
- The show features the work of local artists.
- There were more than 500 exhibitors at the trade show.
- a show organized by a small gallery
- He presented a show of Cuban art and photographs at the 4th Avenue Gallery.
- Anyone interested in Chinese art should not miss this show.
- He felt it was necessary to cancel the show because buyers would not have turned out.
- The Toronto boat show is on this month.
- She decided to enter her puppy in a local dog show.
- They had a stand at a gun show.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- major
- annual
- …
- have
- hold
- organize
- …
- feature somebody/something
- ring
- at a/the show
- on show
- [countable] an action or a way of behaving that shows how you feel synonym display
- a show of emotion/support
- a show of force/strength by the army
- The Democrats organized a show of strength, a mass rally in Central Park.
- A show of force by 4 000 soldiers led to an agreement being reached quickly.
- He was completely unmoved by her little show of temper.
- She made a great show of wanting to leave, but I knew she didn't mean it.
- She was afraid that too demonstrative a show of gratitude might be misinterpreted.
- The company is seeking to rally a big show of support for the project.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- great
- brave
- …
- make
- put on
- for show
- show of
- a show of force
- a show of strength
- [uncountable, singular] something that is done only to give a good impression, but is not sincere
- He may seem charming, but it's all show!
- for show She pretends to be interested in opera, but it's only for show.
- He made a great show of affection, but I knew he didn't mean it.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- big
- great
- brave
- …
- make
- put on
- for show
- show of
- a show of force
- a show of strength
- [countable, uncountable] a brightly coloured or pleasant sight synonym display
- a lovely show of spring flowers
- [singular] (informal) an event, a business or a situation where something is being done or organized
- She runs the whole show.
- I won't interfere—it's your show.
- [countable, usually singular] (especially British English, informal) something that is done in a particular way
- The team put on a good show in the competition.
- It's a poor show if he forgets your birthday.
see also no-show
entertainment
of collection of things
of feeling
insincere act
colourful sight
event/situation
good/poor show
Word OriginOld English scēawian ‘look at, inspect’, from a West Germanic base meaning ‘look’; related to Dutch schouwen and German schauen.
Idioms
See show in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee show in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englisha dog and pony show
- (North American English, informal, disapproving) an event that is planned only in order to impress people so that they will support or buy something
- the dog and pony show of his visits to the war zone
- a dog and pony show to sell the idea to investors
for show
- intended to be seen but not used
- These items are just for show—they're not for sale.
get the show on the road
- (informal) to start an activity or a journey
- Let's get this show on the road!
(jolly) good show!
- (British English, old-fashioned, informal) used to show you like something or to say that somebody has done something well
a show of hands
- a way of voting for or against something in which people raise their hands to vote
- The vote was passed by a show of hands.
- Let’s have a show of hands. Who’s in favour of the proposal?
steal the show
- [no passive] to attract more attention and praise than other people in a particular situation
- As always, the children stole the show.
- British bands stole the show at this year’s awards.
Check pronunciation:
show