showmanship

[shoh-muhn-ship]

noun

1. the skill or ability of a showman.

Word History and Origins

Origin of showmanship¹

First recorded in 1855–60; showman + -ship

Example Sentences

So it’s how can we dovetail the microaggressions that you had mentioned before, his journey, his role in leadership, and also the showmanship this man has.

From Los Angeles Times

The evening news experiment with Reasoner was a short-lived disaster, but Walters found a supporter in Roone Arledge, the ABC Sports impresario who took over the news division and had an appreciation for showmanship.

From Los Angeles Times

Federalizing the California Guard to quell a supposed insurrection on the streets of greater Los Angeles is a bold move of presidential showmanship and look-tough opportunism.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s the showmanship of Ringling Brothers Circus combined with the athletic flair of the Harlem Globetrotters.

From Los Angeles Times

The public is too distracted by the hateful rhetoric and showmanship to notice more insidious actions, such as laws against mass protests and attacks on federal judges.

From Salon

Related Words

• comedy 
• farce 
• melodrama 
• play 
• production 
• scene 
• show 
• theater 
• tragedy