for show

prepositional phrase

intended to be seen but not bought or used; aesthetic as opposed to practical.

“Wealthy Nauruans spent their abundant money on cars that were for show.”

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Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. idiomaticintended to be seen but not bought or used; aesthetic as opposed to practical.

    Wealthy Nauruans spent their abundant money on cars that were for show.

    1 more example

    Guys, get down from the climbing frames! They're just there for show!

    2024, Teacher Tommy T, What did I miss? 🤣 #schoolmemes #school #teacher #schoolmemories #teaching #schooldays #students
  2. idiomaticdone in an insincere or affected manner in order to impress others.

Translations

Catalan per espectacle
  • per espectacleTranslations
French pour la galerie
  • pour la galerieTranslations
Italian per impressionare
  • per impressionareTranslations
Polish dla bajeru
  • dla bajeruTranslations
Portuguese para bonito, por exibição
  • para bonitoTranslations
  • por exibiçãoTranslations
Russian для красоты
  • для красоты (dlja krasoty)Translations
Spanish para impresionar
  • para impresionarTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

for show. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/for%20show

MLA

“for show.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/for%20show. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “for show,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/for%20show.

Source: for show on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.