shown

to cause or permit to be seen exhibit

The first known use: in the 12th century

Word Structure

5 Letters, 1 Syllable

shown

3 Phonemes

S O n

onset, rime

sh own

Morpheme

shown

Sentence Examples

You have to show your tickets at the gate.

You're the only person that I've shown this letter to.

They showed the theory to be faulty.

You will have to show me how to play the game.

He showed them a card trick.

Definitions tell you the meanings of words; examples show you how the words are used.

She was the star of the show.

The band always puts on a good show.

Common Phrases

be shown the ropes

To be taught how to do or perform a job, task, or activity; to have explained or demonstrated how something is done.

bleed (someone or something) dry

To take all of the resources that another person or thing has available. This phrase is often applied to money.

in a bad light

Negatively; under unfavorable circumstances. (Typically used with the verbs "see" or "show," or some similar variation.)

show (a lot) of bottle

To act boldly; to show a lot of nerve. Primarily heard in UK.

show (one) the ropes

To explain or demonstrate to one how to do or perform a job, task, or activity.

show (one's) (true) colors

To reveal what one truly believes, thinks, or wants; to act in accordance with one's real personality, temperament, or disposition.

show (one's) face

To go somewhere despite feeling embarrassed or being scorned.

show (one's) hand

To make one's plans, intentions, ideas, or resources known to others, especially those that were previously hidden or kept secret. (Also expressed as "show (one's) cards"; both phrases refer to displaying one's cards ("hand") during a card game.)

show (some) spine

To demonstrate determination, resolve, and strength of character.

show a/the white flag

To offer a sign of surrender or defeat; to yield or give in.

show bad faith

To indicate one's intention to violate the law.

show foresight

To demonstrate consideration, anticipation, or preparation for what may happen or occur in the future.

show lot of promise

To demonstrate a great amount of potential for future success or excellence.

show muscle

To demonstrate one's influence, power, or strength.

show signs of (something)

To exhibit characteristics or traits indicative or suggestive of something.

show the flag

To stand up for, support, or defend someone or something.

show the way

To guide someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "show" and "the."

show the white feather

To act like or appear to be a coward; to exhibit cowardly traits or behavior. A white feather on a gamecock's tail was once considered a sign of impure breeding

show through

To be or become visible, noticeable, or apparent through something else.

show up

To be apparent, visible, or detected.

show up on the dot

To arrive at the exact time specified.

Related Words

Sound the same but are spelled differently.

Collocations

The habitual juxtaposition of a particular word with another word or words with a frequency greater than chance.

Neighborhood

False Friends

Deeper Dive

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