What does shown mean?
Shown is the past participle of show and is used to describe something that has been displayed, revealed, demonstrated, or proven. In its most common use, it describes information or an object made visible to an audience: a photograph shows a city street, or a diagram shows how a device works. It can also mean that a fact has been established by evidence, as in “The study has shown that the risk is lower than expected.” The word often appears in passive and participial phrases, including “it was shown,” “as shown,” and “shown to be.” When used with a person, shown can mean displayed publicly, while in educational contexts, shown work means work that has been made visible for inspection. Its meaning ranges from simple visibility to the stronger implication of proof or demonstration.
The past participle of show, used to indicate that something has been displayed, revealed, demonstrated, or proven.
"The evidence has clearly shown that the two accounts differ."
Often used in passive constructions and with infinitival complements: “The proposal was shown to be impractical.”
Displayed, visible, or presented for inspection or attention.
"Candidates are asked to complete the shown example before beginning the test."
This adjective use is relatively limited and is especially common in educational or instructional contexts, as in “shown work” and “the shown example.”
Shown carries the invisible idea of proof: when something is shown, it does not merely appear—it becomes clear.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does shown come from?
Shown comes from the Old English verb scawian, meaning “to look, see, or display,” with forms related to seeing and making something visible. The modern verb show developed through Middle English forms influenced by Old Norse skaut, meaning “a thin cloth or veil,” which also contributed to the sense of presenting something for view. The past participle shown therefore continues a long-established word meaning to display or make evident. Related English words include showcase, showman, and showy, all of which preserve the idea of putting something before an audience.
Related word forms
How shown is actually used
Shown is commonly used as the past participle of show, especially in passive and participial constructions such as “the issue was shown to be complex” and “as shown above.” In formal writing, it can indicate that evidence or a result has demonstrated something.
Easily confused with shown
Shown is the past participle of show, while shone is the past tense and past participle of shine.