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exhibit

When used as a verb meaning to show a feeling or quality, "exhibit" is more formal than the word "show." In legal contexts, when referring to evidence (like "Exhibit A"), the word is almost always used as a noun and is often capitalized when followed by a letter or number. Be careful not to confuse the verb (the action of showing) with the noun (the thing being shown), although they look and sound exactly the same.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Sarah is staring at a blank screen while David is in a 'synergy' meeting.

David Smith

The client wants to exhibit the prototypes downtown. Can you swing that?

Sarah

I'm already underwater with the pitch deck. Not happening.

💡

David uses 'exhibit' in the sense of publicly displaying work. Sarah responds with the idiom 'underwater', meaning she is completely overwhelmed by her current workload, highlighting their strained boss-employee dynamic.

Meanings

verb (transitive)

To manifest clearly a quality or a feeling.

"The patient continued to exhibit symptoms of anxiety despite the treatment."

verb (transitive)

To publicly display an object or work of art in a museum or gallery.

"The gallery will exhibit her latest paintings next month."

verb (intransitive)

To be displayed as an exhibit in a public space.

"The rare diamonds exhibit in the national museum's secure vault."

noun

An object or collection of objects on public display in an art gallery or museum.

"The new exhibit on ancient Egypt is attracting huge crowds."

noun

A document or piece of evidence presented in a court of law.

"The prosecutor entered the blood-stained shirt into evidence as Exhibit A."

Last Updated: May 22, 2026•Report an Error