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# showmanship

noun (showmanship — uncountable)

«showmanship» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Skill at entertaining a crowd and getting attention, by doing things in a bold, exciting or dramatic way. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#m1)

### In the lessons

In stories, sport and the arts, showmanship describes performers who don't just do something well but make it fun to watch, like a footballer doing tricks or a magician with a big cape. In English lessons it can be praise (great entertainment) or criticism (showing off more than being good). Phrases: «a bit of showmanship», «pure showmanship».

### Examples

- The magician's showmanship had the whole hall gasping. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#x1)
- His goal celebration was pure showmanship. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#x2)
- The circus ringmaster was famous for his showmanship. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#x3)
- Good showmanship can make even a science demo exciting. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#x4)
- She plays well, but she needs less showmanship and more teamwork. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#x5)
- P. T. Barnum was known for his showmanship and his tall tales. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/#x6)

### Note

Uncountable. From «showman» + «-ship». Not about «ships». Used of anyone, man or woman.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «showmanship» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/showmanship/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«showmanship» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/showmanship.html) on Mova free.