51Թ

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View synonyms for

circus

[sur-kuhs]

noun

plural

circuses 
  1. a large public entertainment, typically presented in one or more very large tents or in an outdoor or indoor arena, featuring exhibitions of pageantry, feats of skill and daring, performing animals, etc., interspersed throughout with the slapstick antics of clowns.

  2. a troupe of performers, especially a traveling troupe, that presents such entertainments, together with officials, other employees, and the company's performing animals, traveling wagons, tents, cages, and equipment.

  3. anything resembling such public entertainments, as an event or activity that is wildly active, disordered, sensational, etc..

    That whole trial was a circus.

  4. a circular arena surrounded by tiers of seats, in which public entertainments are held; arena.

  5. (in ancient Rome)

    1. a large, usually oblong or oval, roofless enclosure, surrounded by tiers of seats rising one above another, for chariot races, public games, etc.

    2. an entertainment given in this Roman arena, as a chariot race or public game.

      The Caesars appeased the public with bread and circuses.

  6. anything resembling the Roman circus, or arena, as a natural amphitheater or a circular range of houses.

  7. flying circus.

  8. British.an open circle, square, or plaza where several streets converge.

    Piccadilly Circus.

  9. Obsolete.a circlet or ring.



circus

/ ˈɜːə /

noun

  1. a travelling company of entertainers such as acrobats, clowns, trapeze artistes, and trained animals

  2. a public performance given by such a company

  3. an oval or circular arena, usually tented and surrounded by tiers of seats, in which such a performance is held

  4. a travelling group of professional sportsmen

    a cricket circus

    1. an open-air stadium, usually oval or oblong, for chariot races or public games

    2. the games themselves

    1. an open place, usually circular, in a town, where several streets converge

    2. ( capital when part of a name )

      Piccadilly Circus

  5. informalnoisy or rowdy behaviour

  6. informala person or group of people whose behaviour is wild, disorganized, or (esp unintentionally) comic

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • circusy adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of circus1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin: “circular region of the sky, oval space in which games were held,” akin to (or borrowed from) Greek íDz “ring, circle”
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of circus1

C16: from Latin, from Greek kirkos ring
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Idioms and Phrases

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She said: "It's like a circus coming to town, and then you've got various clowns, and they've thrown their toys out of the pram at the first issue that's come along."

From

Another of the distinctive tents will set up in a car park at the Gyle Shopping centre, where an Italian company will present a circus show.

From

The entire circus was useful for convincing people that it's okay to choose disinformation over the truth, especially when the facts make you feel bad.

From

The media circus that followed now seems wildly excessive.

From

"The Enhanced Games are not a sporting competition built on universal values like honesty, fairness and equity: they are a circus, built on shortcuts," read a statement from swimming's world governing body.

From

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