road show: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal / Business
Quick answer
What does “road show” mean?
A travelling show or presentation, typically by performers, a business, or a political campaign, that visits a series of locations to perform, promote, or connect with an audience.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A travelling show or presentation, typically by performers, a business, or a political campaign, that visits a series of locations to perform, promote, or connect with an audience.
Any series of events, meetings, or promotional activities held consecutively in different locations; figuratively, a process of presenting something to multiple groups in person.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. Both variants commonly used as a noun. Verb form 'to roadshow' is equally rare in both.
Connotations
Generally neutral in both, associated with promotion, entertainment, or direct marketing.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in business/media contexts in the UK; equally common in US entertainment and finance (e.g., IPO roadshow).
Grammar
How to Use “road show” in a Sentence
[Subject] launched/organised a road show in [Location]The [Noun] road show is visiting [Place]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “road show” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The band will roadshow their new album across the UK next spring.
- We need to roadshow the proposal to regional offices.
American English
- The studio plans to roadshow the film in key markets before wide release.
- They roadshowed the concept to venture capitalists.
adverb
British English
- The product was launched roadshow-style across the country.
American English
- They promoted the stock roadshow-fashion in ten cities.
adjective
British English
- They adopted a road-show format for the consultation.
- He has extensive road-show experience.
American English
- The roadshow schedule is packed with back-to-back meetings.
- Their roadshow presentation was very slick.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
A series of meetings to present a new company or investment opportunity to potential investors in multiple cities.
Academic
Rare. May describe a travelling lecture series or research presentation tour.
Everyday
Used for a touring theatre group, comedy act, or craft fair visiting towns.
Technical
In finance, specifically refers to the pre-IPO investor presentation tour.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “road show”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “road show”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “road show”
- Confusing it with a 'road trip' (which is for pleasure).
- Using it for a single, static event.
- Misspelling as one word 'roadshow' (also acceptable, but the task specifies two words).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'roadshow' is a common variant, especially in British English, but the two-word form is also standard.
Typically no. Its core meaning involves physical travel and in-person events. An online series would be a 'virtual tour' or 'webinar series'.
A 'tour' is broader (can be holiday, military, etc.). A 'road show' specifically implies a show, presentation, or promotional activity that is being taken on the road.
Yes, particularly in finance (IPO road show). In other contexts, it's more informal or industry-specific.
A travelling show or presentation, typically by performers, a business, or a political campaign, that visits a series of locations to perform, promote, or connect with an audience.
Road show: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrəʊd ˌʃəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈroʊd ˌʃoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Take the show on the road (idiom from which 'road show' is derived)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a SHOW that travels along a ROAD from town to town, like a circus or a band on tour.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMERCE/IDEAS ARE ENTERTAINMENT (e.g., 'selling shares' becomes a 'show'), MOBILITY IS OUTREACH.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'road show' LEAST likely to be used?