Standard Lemma guide

showmanship

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈʃəʊ.mən.ʃɪp/
  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: SH OW1 M AH0 N SH IH2 P Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The quality or skill of giving an engaging or compelling performance; a stage presence.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • The act was clean and well-rehearsed, but the performers lacked the showmanship that would have made it great.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: showmanism, showmanry

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the ability to present something (especially theatrical shows) in an attractive manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: skill, accomplishment, acquirement, acquisition, attainment

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)kewh1-der. Proto-Germanic *skawwōną Proto-West Germanic *skauwōn Old English scēawian Middle English schewen English show Proto-Indo-European *mon- Proto-Germanic *mann- Proto-West Germanic *mann Old English mann Middle English man Middle English -man English -man English showman Proto-Germanic *skapjaną Proto-Germanic *-skapiz Proto-West Germanic *-skapi Old English -sċiepe Middle English -schipe English -ship English showmanship From showman + -ship.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: näyttävyys — strong performance
  • Finnish: esiintyvyys — strong performance
  • French: sens du spectacle — strong performance
  • Spanish: espectacularidad — strong performance
  • Spanish: espectaculismo — strong performance
  • Swedish: artisteri — strong performance