for show
idiom
1
: intended to be seen but not used or bought
We're not supposed to eat the fruit on the table. It's just for show.
2
disapproving
: done in order to gain the approval or favor of others
He says he enjoys classical music, but it's only for show.
Examples of for show in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The ones that were paid for the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show earned $712 for show day and $45 per hour for rehearsals.
—
Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Enthusiasts can also sign up for show alerts from the organizers.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Cook is well aware that the guns carried by the federal agents are not for show, even without the Boss’ new ballad.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
One company, run with Laura, an equestrian, leased and sold horses for show-jumping; another company was for the self-help podcast that Jan Black and Laura Owens co-hosted until June 2025.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for for show
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Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Feb. 2026
Enthusiasts can also sign up for show alerts from the organizers.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Cook is well aware that the guns carried by the federal agents are not for show, even without the Boss’ new ballad.
—Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
One company, run with Laura, an equestrian, leased and sold horses for show-jumping; another company was for the self-help podcast that Jan Black and Laura Owens co-hosted until June 2025.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for for show
Cite this Entry
“For show.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20show. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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