show business: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal, occasionally neutral journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “show business” mean?
The industry and activities concerned with the public performance of entertainment, especially theatre, film, television, and music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The industry and activities concerned with the public performance of entertainment, especially theatre, film, television, and music.
Can refer metaphorically to any professional or social field perceived as requiring public performance, glamour, superficiality, or a focus on image over substance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. The compound spelling (show business/show-business/showbusiness) is variable in both. 'Showbiz' is equally common in informal contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to carry a connotation of glamour and superficiality in general British use. In American media, it can be used more matter-of-factly for the industry itself.
Frequency
High frequency in both cultures due to globalised entertainment media.
Grammar
How to Use “show business” in a Sentence
Work in + show businessBe in + show businessThe + (adjective) + world of + show businessShow business + is + adjectiveVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “show business” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – primarily a compound noun. Verb phrases: 'to work in show business', 'to be in show business'.
American English
- N/A – primarily a compound noun. Verb phrases: 'to hustle in show business', 'to make it in show business'.
adverb
British English
- N/A. No standard adverbial form.
American English
- N/A. No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- She has a typical show-business smile – bright and professional.
- It was a show-business wedding, covered by all the tabloids.
American English
- He's got that show-business charm down pat.
- Their meeting had a real show-business feel to it.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports on media conglomerates, investment in entertainment, market trends.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, media studies, and sociology papers analysing the production of culture.
Everyday
Used conversationally to talk about careers, news about celebrities, or the perceived nature of an industry.
Technical
Not a technical term; used descriptively rather than with a fixed definition in contracts or law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “show business”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “show business”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “show business”
- Incorrectly writing as one word 'showbusiness' (acceptable but less common than the spaced version). Confusing it with 'showmanship' (a personal skill).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's broader. The film industry is one part of show business, which also includes theatre, television, music, and live performance.
'Showbiz' is a clipped, informal, and often journalistic version of 'show business'. They mean the same thing, but 'showbiz' is more casual.
Yes. It can be used pejoratively to imply that something is superficial, focused on image over substance, or commercially cynical (e.g., 'Their apology felt like pure show business').
Both 'show business' (two words) and 'showbusiness' (one word) are common. 'Show business' is slightly more frequent in edited text. The hyphenated form 'show-business' is less common but also acceptable.
The industry and activities concerned with the public performance of entertainment, especially theatre, film, television, and music.
Show business is usually informal, occasionally neutral journalistic. in register.
Show business: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊ ˌbɪznɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊ ˌbɪznɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All that glitters is not gold (applicable concept)”
- “Break a leg (used within show business)”
- “The show must go on (principle of show business)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a BUSINESS putting on a SHOW. It combines the creativity of a performance ('show') with the money-making reality of an 'business'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE/INDUSTRY IS A THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE (e.g., 'It's all just show business').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following phrases best captures a metaphorical use of 'show business'?