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Definition of showboater

showboater

/ˈʃoʊˌboʊ.tɚ/
show · boat · er
Plural:showboaters
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showboater Lexical Profile

showboater Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who behaves in a flamboyant, ostentatious, or overtly boastful manner in order to attract attention or admiration, especially in sports or public life.

Example

"The coach benched the rookie because he was acting like a selfish showboater rather than a disciplined team player."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for showboater

• Nearby Words

show
showbiz
showboat
showboater
showbox
showbusiness
showcase

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb 'showboat', which alludes to the ornate, ostentatious 19th-century paddlewheel steamers that traveled along the Mississippi River staging theatrical performances to attract crowds.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Showboater. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/showboater
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