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showpiece

C2
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ʃˈəʊpiːs/

US

  • /ˈʃoʊˌpis/

Description

A showpiece is not just anything nice to look at. It is the item chosen to impress. Think of a baker making a detailed cake, not only for taste, but also to catch everyone's eye. That cake is the showpiece. It might be a prized possession on display, like a vintage car in a collector's garage, or a successful project a company proudly talks about. A showpiece draws attention and shows skill or quality. Sometimes it is the literal center of a room; other times it is the main attraction in a more general sense.

Examples

  1. 1

    Museum exhibit

    The museum's showpiece is a huge blue whale skeleton in the main hall.

  2. 2

    Renovated home

    They spent years turning the old house into a showpiece for visitors.

  3. 3

    Product launch

    The new electric car was supposed to be the company's showpiece at the auto fair.

  4. 4

    Sports event

    The cup final is the showpiece event of the football season.

    • Phrase

      showpiece event

      the main event that gets the most attention

See also

nounan impressive example or display item meant to be admired

Similar

Shades of meaning

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • architectural showpiece
  • the showpiece of
  • showpiece event

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Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • showpiecenoun