Exhibiting vs. Showing — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 11, 2023
"Exhibiting" implies displaying or presenting objects, typically in a public space; "Showing" means presenting or displaying, often in a more casual or personal context. Exhibiting is more formal, and showing is more versatile.
Difference Between Exhibiting and Showing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Another notable difference is the extent of interaction and engagement. "Exhibiting" in a museum or gallery might not involve much interaction between the exhibitor and the audience, focusing more on the objects displayed. "Showing," depending on the context, might involve more direct interaction, engagement, and exchange of information or opinions between the presenter and the audience.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
"Exhibiting" suggests a structured presentation, often in a dedicated space, and may involve an explanatory component, such as labels or guides, to provide context or information about the exhibited items. "Showing," while it can also occur in structured settings like a movie showing, often implies a more straightforward act of display or presentation without the need for accompanying explanations or contextual information.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
In summary, "Exhibiting" usually denotes a more formal, organized, and structured presentation of objects or works with inherent value or significance, often in public spaces, while "Showing" is a versatile term used to describe the act of presenting or displaying in various contexts, formal or informal, with or without attributed significance or value.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
While "Exhibiting" usually involves careful arrangement and is often associated with a curated collection of items or works, "Showing" might not involve such meticulous organization and can refer to the act of presenting any object, information, or emotion. "Exhibiting" often conveys a sense of public display with an inherent value or significance to the exhibited items. In contrast, "Showing" is broader, applicable to various situations, formal or informal, significant or mundane, without necessarily attributing value or importance to the shown item.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Exhibiting" and "Showing" are both verbs relating to the act of presenting or displaying something, yet their usage varies significantly. "Exhibiting" typically implies a formal presentation or display of objects or works, often in a public space such as a museum or a gallery. It conveys a sense of organized presentation, with the purpose often being to inform, educate, or showcase. "Showing," on the other hand, is more versatile, used in casual and diverse contexts, including personal interactions, where one person presents something to another.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Context
Typically formal and public.
Versatile, can be formal or informal, public or private.
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Oct 11, 2023
Level of Organization
Often involves careful arrangement and curation.
Can be organized or casual, no curation required.
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Oct 11, 2023
Interaction
May not involve much interaction between exhibitor and audience.
May involve direct interaction and engagement.
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Oct 11, 2023
Purpose
To inform, educate, or showcase.
To present or display, often without specific educational intent.
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Oct 11, 2023
Scope
Primarily for objects or works with inherent value or significance.
Applicable to any object, information, or emotion, regardless of significance.
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Oct 11, 2023
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Definitions
Exhibiting
Exhibiting refers to the formal presentation of objects or works in a dedicated space.
The aquarium is exhibiting marine life from the Pacific Ocean.
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Showing
Showing denotes revealing or expressing.
He is showing signs of improvement after the surgery.
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Exhibiting
Exhibiting implies presenting objects or works with careful arrangement.
The museum is exhibiting ancient artifacts from Greece.
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Showing
Showing implies making something visible or evident.
The teacher is showing the students how to solve the problem.
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Exhibiting
Exhibiting means to display publicly in an organized manner.
The artist is exhibiting her latest paintings at the local gallery.
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Showing
Showing can refer to the act of projecting a film.
The cinema is showing the latest blockbuster tonight.
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Showing
Showing can imply illustrating or demonstrating.
The chef is showing the correct way to chop vegetables.
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Exhibiting
To present for others to see
Rolled up his sleeve to exhibit the scar.
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Exhibiting
To present in a public exhibition or contest
Exhibited her paintings at a gallery.
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Exhibiting
To give evidence or an instance of; demonstrate
Young musicians eager to exhibit their talent.
A plant that exhibits dimorphism.
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Exhibiting
A public showing; an exhibition
Spent the afternoon at the art exhibit.
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Showing
An occasion when something is shown.
We went to the midnight showing of the new horror movie.
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Exhibiting
Something exhibited
Each exhibit in the show took hours to assemble.
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Showing
A result, a judgement.
He made a poor showing at his first time at bat.
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Exhibiting
(Law) Something marked for identification with the purpose of being introduced as evidence
Referred to Exhibit A.
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Exhibiting
(Informal) Something used as an example, as when arguing or making a point
You never do your chores—Exhibit A.
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Exhibiting
Exhibiting denotes showcasing items with an educational or informative intent.
The science center is exhibiting innovations in renewable energy.
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Showing
Something shown to the public;
The museum had many exhibits of oriental art
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Exhibiting
Exhibiting involves presenting with an emphasis on inherent value or significance.
The library is exhibiting rare manuscripts this month.
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Showing
Showing means presenting or displaying.
She is showing her new dress to her friends.
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FAQs
Does exhibiting always involve careful arrangement?
Exhibiting usually involves careful arrangement and presentation, often with the intention to inform or educate.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Does exhibiting imply interaction with the audience?
Exhibiting may not necessarily involve interaction between the exhibitor and the audience, focusing more on the displayed objects.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
What is the meaning of showing?
Showing means presenting or displaying something, making it visible or evident, and can be used in various contexts, formal or informal.
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Oct 11, 2023
Is showing limited to physical objects?
No, showing is versatile and can refer to presenting physical objects, emotions, information, or films.
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Oct 11, 2023
Is exhibiting always formal?
Typically, exhibiting implies a level of formality and organization, often occurring in public spaces like museums or galleries.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Can exhibiting be used for any objects?
Exhibiting is typically used for objects or works with perceived value or significance, displayed in a structured manner.
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Oct 11, 2023
Is exhibiting synonymous with showcasing?
Yes, exhibiting is often synonymous with showcasing, both implying a structured display of items with inherent value or significance.
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Oct 11, 2023
Does exhibiting always occur in public spaces?
While exhibiting often occurs in public spaces like museums, it can also occur in private spaces where access is restricted to specific audiences.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
What does exhibiting mean?
Exhibiting means to display objects or works publicly, typically in an organized and formal manner, often with educational or informative intent.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Can showing be used to express revealing emotions?
Yes, showing can denote revealing or expressing emotions, as in “showing happiness” or “showing concern.”
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Oct 11, 2023
Can showing be informal?
Yes, showing is versatile and can be used in both informal and formal contexts, including casual, personal interactions.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Can showing refer to a film projection?
Absolutely, showing can refer to the act of projecting a film, as in a movie showing.
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Oct 11, 2023
Can showing involve interaction?
Yes, showing can involve direct interaction and engagement between the presenter and the audience, depending on the context.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Can showing occur in private?
Yes, showing can occur in both public and private contexts, like showing a friend a photo on your phone.
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Oct 11, 2023
Is there a difference in the level of organization between exhibiting and showing?
Typically, exhibiting involves a higher level of organization and curation, while showing can be more casual and spontaneous.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.