funambulist

[ fyoo-nam-byuh-list ]

noun

1. a tightrope walker.

funambulist

/ fjuːˈnæmbjʊlɪst /

noun

1. a tightrope walker

Derived Forms

• fuˈnambulism, noun

Other Words From

• fu·nambu·lism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of funambulist¹

1785–95; < Latin fūnambul ( us ) “ropedancer” (from fūn(is) “rope, line” + ambul(āre) “to walk” + -us, noun suffix; funiculus, amble ) + -ist

Word History and Origins

Origin of funambulist¹

C18: from Latin fūnambulus rope dancer, from fūnis rope + ambulāre to walk

Example Sentences

Jay O. Sanders, her husband, is another dramatic funambulist who has appeared in all 12 plays.

From New York Times

She’s not quite a funambulist — yet — but the balance of strength, challenge and concentration has her hooked.

From Seattle Times

Philippe’s mentor is an irascible Czech funambulist played, as an irascible Czech funambulist in a movie of this kind must be played, by Ben Kingsley.

From New York Times

Many of his daredevil acts have been inspired by his fellow funambulist family members, and carrying on his family tradition has earned him 9 Guinness World Records and made him a household name.

From Time

Spalding had spent more than thirty years on “the slippery slope,” as he called it, as a high-wire performer, a funambulist, and had never fallen off.

From The New Yorker

Related Words

• clown
• dancer
• gymnast
• performer
• tumbler