Definition

Noun: 1. A person who fails to fulfill an obligation or appointment: Someone who is expected or required to be somewhere but does not appear and does not provide notice. 2. A guest who fails to arrive without canceling: Specifically, a person with a reservation (e.g., for a hotel room, restaurant table, flight, or event) who neither uses it nor informs the provider of its cancellation.

Usage

The term "no-show" is used to describe a person whose absence causes inconvenience, a loss of revenue, or a wasted opportunity for someone else. It implies a failure of responsibility or courtesy.

Examples

• The conference organizer was frustrated by the high number of no-shows for the keynote speech.
• The restaurant charges a fee for no-shows because they held the table and turned away other customers.
• If you are a no-show for your job interview, it is very unlikely you will be considered for the position.

Advanced Usage

• To be a no-show: This is the standard phrasing to describe the act of not appearing.
  • He was a no-show at his own birthday party.
• No-show rate/percentage: Used in business and service industries to quantify the problem.
  • The airline's no-show rate on that route is nearly 10%.

Variants and Related Words

• No-show (as an adjective): Sometimes used attributively before a noun.
  • The company has a strict no-show policy.
• Absentee: A more general term for someone who is not present, but without the specific connotation of failing to cancel a reservation.
• Truant: Specifically a student who stays away from school without permission.

Synonyms

• Absentee
• Non-attendee
• Defaulter (in the context of failing to appear)

Related Phrases

• To stand someone up: (Idiomatic, informal) To fail to meet someone for a date or social appointment.
  • She waited for an hour before realizing she had been stood up. (This is the action; the person is a "no-show").

Noun

1. someone who shirks duty
2. a guest who fails to notify a hotel or restaurant when canceling a reservation