1. a theatrical performance or scene acted out in silence, without spoken dialogue
Usage: often used in classical or experimental theater
2. meaningless or unintelligible talk or behavior
Usage: informal, often derogatory

Examples

• The opening scene was performed as a dumbshow, with actors moving expressively but saying nothing.
• The play included a dumbshow sequence that conveyed the character's inner turmoil without words.
• I couldn't understand his explanation—it was pure dumbshow to me.
• The politician's response was nothing but dumbshow and empty gestures.
• In Elizabethan theater, dumbshow was sometimes used to preview the plot of a tragedy.
• She grew frustrated with his dumbshow and demanded a clear answer.