exhibit
gb/ɪɡzˈɪbɪt/ us/ɪɡzˈɪbɪt/
A2
English
~ 4500
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
to publicly display something
To show something in public so people can see it.
Usage pattern:
to exhibit [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'exhibit' with 'exhibition'; 'exhibit' is the action, while 'exhibition' is the event or display itself.
Synonyms
display (More common in everyday use; less formal than 'exhibit'.)
Antonyms
conceal (Means to hide something so it cannot be seen.)
Collocations
exhibit artwork
|exhibit evidence
|exhibit paintings
|exhibit behavior
Themes
art
|museum
|presentation
|arts_entertainment
|communication
Examples
- The gallery will exhibit the artist’s latest paintings next month.
- The company plans to exhibit its new products at the trade fair.
- Several rare fossils are currently being exhibited at the museum.
Learner examples
- The museum will exhibit old photos.
- They will exhibit new cars at the show.
- The school will exhibit student art.
Verb
B2
action
2
to show a quality or feeling
To show a feeling, quality, or skill by how you act.
Usage pattern:
to exhibit [quality/feeling]
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly use 'show off' here, which has a negative meaning implying bragging.
Synonyms
demonstrate (Often used for showing skills or qualities; slightly broader in use than 'exhibit'.)
Antonyms
suppress (Means to prevent a feeling or quality from being shown.)
Collocations
exhibit confidence
|exhibit courage
|exhibit signs of stress
Themes
psychology
|behavior
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She exhibits great patience when working with children.
- The patient began to exhibit symptoms of the disease.
- He exhibited an unusual interest in ancient history.
Learner examples
- He exhibits kindness to everyone.
- The child exhibits signs of tiredness.
- She exhibits strong leadership skills.
Noun
A2
entity
3
object on public display
Something shown in public, like in a museum or show.
Synonyms
display (Can refer to the arrangement as well as the objects; slightly broader meaning.)
Antonyms
storage item (Refers to something kept away from public view.)
Collocations
museum exhibit
|art exhibit
|interactive exhibit
Themes
art
|museum
|arts_entertainment
|education
Examples
- The dinosaur skeleton is the most popular exhibit in the museum.
- We saw an exhibit of ancient Egyptian jewelry.
- The science center has a new interactive exhibit for children.
Learner examples
- The museum has a new dinosaur exhibit.
- We saw an art exhibit at the gallery.
- The zoo has an exhibit of tropical birds.
Noun
formal
B2
entity
4
evidence in a legal trial
Something shown in court to help prove a case.
Synonyms
evidence item (General term for any proof material; 'exhibit' is specific to courtroom presentation.)
Antonyms
inadmissible evidence (Evidence not allowed to be presented in court.)
Collocations
Exhibit A
|court exhibit
|trial exhibit
Themes
law
Examples
- The prosecutor introduced the murder weapon as Exhibit A.
- Several photographs were marked as exhibits during the trial.
- Exhibit C was a signed contract between the two parties.
Learner examples
- The lawyer showed Exhibit A to the jury.
- The court saw many exhibits during the trial.
- The police gave the judge an exhibit.
Grammar
Dictionary form
exhibit
IPA
GB/ɪɡzˈɪbɪt/
US/ɪɡzˈɪbɪt/
Syllables & stress
ex - hib - it (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (hib)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: exhibit
- Plural: exhibits
Verb
- Base: exhibit
- 3rd Person Singular: exhibits
- Present Participle: exhibiting
- Past: exhibited
Word family
Forms
exhibits
noun
exhibiting
verb
exhibited
verb
Core family
exhibition
noun B1
Related words
exhibitor
noun
Expressions
Exhibit A
1/ɪɡzˈɪbɪt ə/
fixed phrase
formal
first evidence or example shown
The first thing shown as proof in court, or used as the main example in an argument.
Examples
- Exhibit A is the email he sent before quitting.
- The prosecution presented Exhibit A: the signed confession.
on exhibit
1/ˈɔn ɪɡzˈɪbɪt/
fixed phrase
currently on public display
Being shown in public right now, like in a museum or gallery.
Examples
- These paintings are now on exhibit at the city museum.
- The artifacts will be on exhibit until September.