showman

noun

show·​man ˈshō-mən How to pronounce showman (audio)
1
: the producer of a play or theatrical show
2
: a notably spectacular, dramatic, or effective performer
showmanship
ˈshō-mən-ˌship How to pronounce showman (audio)
noun

Examples of showman in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mud is a dynamic if uneven vehicle for Wolf, a vocalist with a showman’s need for climax. — Enzo Escober, Pitchfork, 9 Oct. 2026 Panay is known as an effusive onstage showman, making product launches a flashy, intimate affair that feels closer to Apple’s past legendary showcases than to the overwhelming Amazon events that predated him. — Sebastian Herrera, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 The brutalist thump of drummer Moe Tucker renders the showmen in Led Zeppelin and the Who irrelevant. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026 No one, in my opinion, comes close to this selfish, foul-mouthed and stupid showman. — Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for showman

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of showman was in 1728

Rhymes for showman

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Browse Nearby Words

show jumping
showman
showmanly
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Cite this Entry

“Showman.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/showman. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

showman

noun
show·​man ˈshō-mən How to pronounce showman (audio)
1
: the producer of a theatrical show
2
: a person having a special skill for presenting something in a dramatic way
showmanship
-ˌship How to pronounce showman (audio)
noun
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