Showboat originally referred to large riverboats that traveled along rivers like the Mississippi in the 1800s, carrying theatrical performers who put on plays and music shows for towns along the way. Picture a floating theater bringing entertainment to places that rarely saw professional performances.

Today, showboat usually means showing off or performing in an overly flashy way to get attention. When someone showboats after scoring a touchdown, they might dance excessively or celebrate dramatically instead of simply returning to the team. A student who showboats after acing a test might loudly announce their perfect score and make a big show of their success.

The word carries a negative feeling. There's a difference between feeling proud of an accomplishment and showboating. Someone who showboats cares more about the audience's reaction than the achievement itself. They want everyone watching and admiring them.

You might hear someone say, “Stop showboating and just play the game,” when a player focuses more on fancy moves than helping their team win. A showboater is someone who makes this a habit.