showy

comparative showier · superlative showiest · alternative obsolete shewey · alternative obsolete shewy

1. derogatorysometimesCalling attention; flashy; standing out to the eye.
2. Making a striking or aesthetically pleasing display.

   showy flowers

3. informalInclined to showing (by conveying an impression so that events are described in the narrative), instead of telling (by explicitly stating facts).

   story is too, too telly; need at least 3 showy scenes to improve showing:telling ratio

   2009 May 18, @kimmcgowan, Twitter, archived from the original on 18 Jul 2024

   4 more examples

   I think my problem with it is that it's a) a little "telly" not "showy" in comparison to the rest […]

   1999 November 21, sophie, “Squealer : first revision”, in alt.arts.poetry.comments (Usenet)

   There's a way to make this more showy and less telly. It's like you're in a hurry to get on with the rest of the story.

   2003 September 19, Patrick Null, “Failed Sept Challenge? (1409 words)”, in alt.fiction.original (Usenet)

   Six of Crows is very telly and little showy. You are constantly getting info dumps and mini-flashbacks to the characters past.

   2016 February 12, Kelly, “Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo”, in Diva Booknerd, archived from the original on 18 Jul 2024

   The ending felt rushed to me, and I wish it would have been more showy and less telly.

   2024 July 1, pinkjamie, “Well...”, in BookishFirst, archived from the original on 18 Jul 2024