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

The sport isn’t the same without Carlos Alcaraz, its sunny, electric, endlessly scampering 23-year-old acrobat from Spain.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

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

Kinski played Mignon, a mute acrobat and street performer, in the film.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

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

From BBC ● Dec. 14, 2023

“I’m Ernie, and this brilliant acrobat here is my brother, Genie.”

From "As Brave As You" by Jason Reynolds

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

The balls, used instead of wheels, on his omnidirectional battery-powered bike are the same type as used by circus acrobats and are self-balancing.

From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2025

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

Like acrobats, the crew scurried up the masts to the upper topgallant sails that rose nearly 200 feet above us.

From New York Times ● Jun. 3, 2024

I pass food stalls and dance stages, jugglers and fire-eaters, acrobats, Kehannis, singers, and players.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Related Words

• clown
• dancer
• gymnast
• performer
• tumbler