A showgirl is a female performer in a theatrical revue who wears an exotic and revealing costume and in some shows may appear topless. Showgirls are usually dancers, sometimes performing as chorus girls, burlesque dancers, or fan dancers, and many are classically trained with skills in ballet. The term showgirl is also sometimes used by strippers, and some strip clubs use it as part of their business name. Showgirls are known for being extremely beautiful, as a general rule, and they typically wear extremely ornate costumes, classically with large headdresses which are heavily bedecked with feathers, beading, and spangles. While showgirls are probably most associated with Las Vegas, Nevada, in the minds of many people, they can be found in many urban areas around the world.

The history of showgirls is probably quite ancient, as some form of dancing girl can be found in almost every culture imaginable. However, showgirls in their modern form really started to rise in the 1800s, when women performed in elaborate performances which were designed to showcase ludicrous costumes along with singing and dancing skills. Some of these performances were also quite risque for the time, with showgirls revealing a bit more leg than women in more polite society would have dared.

Real showgirls are trained in ballet and other classical dance, and to achieve the graceful elegance required for this level of pageantry, most of the girls have had to put together an impressive dance pedigree, starting with classical ballet technique. Many showgirls also sing, providing backup for musical productions and sometimes singing solos as well.

In summary, a showgirl is a female performer in a theatrical revue who wears an exotic and revealing costume and is usually a dancer, sometimes performing as a chorus girl, burlesque dancer, or fan dancer. They are known for being extremely beautiful and wearing ornate costumes, and they are often classically trained in ballet and other classical dance forms.