acrobat

American  

[ak-ruh-bat] / ˈæk rəˌbæt /

noun

1. a skilled performer of gymnastic feats, as walking on a tightrope or swinging on a trapeze.

2. a person who readily changes viewpoints or opinions.

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acrobat British  

/ ˈækrəˌbæt /

noun

1. an entertainer who performs acts that require skill, agility, and coordination, such as tumbling, swinging from a trapeze, or walking a tightrope

2. a person noted for his frequent and rapid changes of position or allegiances

   a political acrobat

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Other Word Forms

• acrobatic adjective
• acrobatically adverb

Etymology

Origin of acrobat

First recorded in 1815–25; from French acrobate, from Greek akróbatos “walking on tiptoe,” equivalent to akro- prefix meaning “height, extremity” + -batos, verbal adjective of baínein “to go”; the French word may be a recoinage, or an etymological reading of the Greek word; acro-

Example Sentences

It was a circus-like opening with acrobats, clowns, vibrant music and fireworks atop the stadium to mark the the start of the long parade of athletes.

From Seattle Times

Earlier this summer, a pop-up circus brought clowns, jugglers and acrobats to delight children.

From New York Times

To lure the fuzzy-tailed acrobats to their obstacle course, the scientists put out peanuts and waited.

From Science Magazine

And squirrels are not just daredevil acrobats; they are adept learners, too.

From Scientific American

They launch the clubs into the air then acrobat to the opposite side of the 40-foot competition floor to catch them the precise moment they fall.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• clown
• dancer
• gymnast
• performer
• tumbler