no show

USAGE SUMMARY

"no show" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone or something that has failed to appear as expected. For example, "The audience was disappointed when the headliner was a no show."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The biggest no show?

Forbes

He was a no show.

Forbes

So far, it's a no show.

TechCrunch

(Oddly, a no show).

Huffington Post

No money, no show.

WikiHow

No one likes a no show.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

She was a no-show.

The New York Times

Baby T's a no-show.

The New Yorker

No-show history.

The Guardian

There was a no-show problem.

The New Yorker

Then came my first no-show.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no show" when referring to someone or something that was expected but did not appear. It's commonly used in contexts like appointments, events, and travel.

Common error

Avoid using "no show" when something is simply late or delayed, rather than entirely absent. The term implies a complete failure to appear, not just a delay.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no show" primarily functions as a noun, referring to someone or something that fails to appear as expected. As Ludwig indicates, it is correct and usable in written English, frequently used to describe absences from appointments or events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "no show" is a common and versatile term used to describe the absence of someone or something expected, as confirmed by Ludwig. Functioning primarily as a noun, it effectively conveys the idea of non-attendance across various contexts, from formal news reports to informal conversations. While alternatives like "failure to appear" or "non-appearance" exist, "no show" remains a straightforward and widely understood way to indicate that someone or something didn't materialize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't show up

Informal and direct way of saying someone was absent.

non-appearance

Formal term emphasizing the act of not appearing.

failure to appear

Highlights the obligation or expectation to be present.

absentee

Focuses on the person who is missing.

failure to attend

Specifically refers to not being present at an event.

missing in action

Figurative term, often used humorously.

never arrived

Emphasizes the lack of arrival at a destination.

was absent

Simple statement of being away.

skipped it

Informal, indicating intentional absence.

played truant

Suggests a deliberate avoidance of duty.

FAQs

How is "no show" used in a sentence?

You can use "no show" to describe someone who didn't attend a scheduled event or appointment. For instance, "The client was a "no show" for the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "no show"?

Alternatives include "failure to appear", "absentee", or "didn't show up", depending on the context.

Is "no-show" or "no show" correct?

"No show" and "no-show" are both acceptable, with "no show" being more common. The hyphenated form is often used as an adjective (e.g., "no-show appointment").

What does "no show" mean in the context of airline tickets?

In the airline industry, a "no show" refers to a passenger who does not board their flight without canceling or notifying the airline beforehand. This can sometimes result in cancellation of subsequent flights in the itinerary.