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

The campaign introduced the slogan “Keep walking” and featured three television advertisements, including one in which the actor Harvey Keitel walked into a coliseum filled with lions as he talked about overcoming stage fright; another showed the French funambulist Ramon Kelvink walking a tightrope between buildings.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

Or, with his country facing its biggest economic, social and health crisis since World War II, its economy shrinking 8.3 percent last year, millions furloughed from shuttered businesses, and more than 87,000 dead from the coronavirus, the funambulist could fall.

From New York Times

Funambulist Christopher Bullzini said it was an honour to re-enact 19th Century daredevil Carlos Trower's feat.

From BBC

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

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• clown
• dancer
• gymnast
• performer
• tumbler