What does showery mean?
Showery is an informal adjective for a display, style, or person that is conspicuously showy, flamboyant, or designed to attract attention. Its tone is usually critical: it suggests that the appearance is more theatrical than the substance warrants, although it can also be used with light humor. For example, a showery outfit may be praised for its boldness but criticized as excessively elaborate. The word is especially common in British English in the additional sense of describing weather that is rainy in intermittent showers. Alongside that meaning, showery retains its broader association with conspicuous display, making it useful for describing anything from stage costumes and stage performances to extravagant decoration and attention-seeking behaviour.
Excessively showy or ostentatious; seeking attention through conspicuous display.
"The showery stage design overwhelmed the performers."
Informal and generally mildly critical.
Characterized by showers or intermittent rain.
"We postponed the match because the conditions were showery."
Especially common in British English.
A showery display does not merely catch the eye—it makes a point of being noticed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does showery come from?
The main sense of “showery” was formed in the 19th century from “show” with the suffix “-y,” in the pattern of “showy.” The verb “show” comes from Old English “scīwwan,” meaning to make visible or exhibit. The word also developed the sense of “shower-like,” probably by association with the older noun “shower” and the adjective “showery” in descriptions of rain.
Related word forms
How showery is actually used
The adjective is informal and often mildly critical. In British English, “showery” is also commonly used for weather that is intermittently rainy.
Easily confused with showery
“Showery” often emphasizes a person's tendency to attract attention, while “showy” more directly describes something that is visually striking or ostentatious.