showplace: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, descriptive
Quick answer
What does “showplace” mean?
A place of great beauty, interest, or excellence, often shown to visitors as a point of pride or attraction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A place of great beauty, interest, or excellence, often shown to visitors as a point of pride or attraction.
Any location or establishment that is maintained and presented in an exceptionally fine or impressive state, designed to be admired by the public.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily used in American English. In British English, synonyms like 'tourist attraction', 'stately home', or 'heritage site' are more common.
Connotations
American usage often implies a place that is exceptionally well-maintained and presented, sometimes with a sense of civic or national pride.
Frequency
Low-frequency term in both varieties, but significantly more frequent in American English.
Grammar
How to Use “showplace” in a Sentence
[X is a showplace for Y][They transformed X into a showplace]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Could describe a flagship store or a corporate headquarters presented as an architectural marvel.
Academic
Used in fields like history, tourism studies, and architecture to describe culturally curated spaces.
Everyday
Used by tour guides, in travel writing, or in community pride contexts.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “showplace”
- Using it to refer to a venue for performances (e.g., a theatre).
- Confusing it with 'showcase' as a verb.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a single, closed compound noun: 'showplace'.
It can, but the term implies a degree of curation, access, and presentation. A completely wild, untouched waterfall is less likely to be called a showplace than one in a national park with viewing platforms and walkways.
A landmark is primarily defined by its recognisability and significance. A showplace is defined by its state of presentation and beauty. A landmark can be derelict; a showplace cannot.
No, it is a low-frequency, somewhat formal word used primarily in descriptive writing about travel, architecture, and community affairs.
A place of great beauty, interest, or excellence, often shown to visitors as a point of pride or attraction.
Showplace is usually formal, descriptive in register.
Showplace: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊpleɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊpleɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The jewel in the crown (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PLACE that is so impressive they SHOW it off to everyone.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LOCATION IS A MUSEUM EXHIBIT / A LOCATION IS A JEWEL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'showplace'?