acrobat

American  

[ak-ruh-bat] / ˈæk rəˌbæt /

noun

acrobats plural

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

Derived Forms

• acrobatic
  adjective
• acrobatically
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• acrobats
  plural

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; see acro-

Explanation

An acrobat is someone who skillfully performs gymnastic feats or other actions that involve agility and balance, such as a trapeze artist soaring through the air, or a tightrope walker at the circus. You may be tempted to conclude that the bat in acrobat is a tribute to the animal that soars through the air when not hanging upside down. The source is not quite that creative. It comes from bainein, which is Greek for "to walk." The acro bit comes from akros, meaning "highest point." So acrobat is a reference to the classic and possibly first trick perfected by these artists, tightrope walking.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acrobat acrobats

For three glorious seasons between 1983 and 1985, ‘80s kids also had the “Dungeons & Dragons” animated series with its two girl heroes: an acrobat and a thief with an invisibility cloak.

From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2026

Midway, an acrobat stood balanced on the shoulders of another who walked the entire length of the runway and back.

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 13, 2024

The acrobat, aged in his 20s, fell while riding the "giant wheel of death" apparatus at the Hippodrome Circus in Great Yarmouth on Wednesday evening.

From BBC ● Dec. 13, 2023

A late-evening fairy ballet for dancers in billowy white costumes was a high point, as was the lovely, all-too-brief scene in which the acrobat Christine Wunderlich recited a monologue during an aerobic silk performance.

From New York Times ● Apr. 24, 2023

“What kind of an acrobat do you think I am?” said Charlotte in disgust.

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White

That word came up many times during the show’s first audition rounds as dancers, singers, magicians, acrobats and a contortionist took the stage.

From Salon ● May 31, 2025

Events this year will include Killieween’s Sinister Circus - a circus-themed trail with performers, acrobats and clowns - the Kilmarnock Halloween Running Festival and Kilmarnock Fire Station’s extravaganza, featuring live music, food and games.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2024

There were multiple showtimes a night, always incorporating a monologue, group choreography, live singing, costume changes, videos, practical effects, special guests like acrobats, and improv segments.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 19, 2024

Soon we’re in the middle of a circus act, with acrobats flying through the air, twisting on ropes and poles.

From Seattle Times ● May 28, 2024

I remember it was a kind of collage, full of cutout pictures of circus life, with clowns and acrobats and jugglers and horses, and elephants, of course, lots of elephants.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo

Related Words

• clown
• dancer
• gymnast
• performer
• tumbler