acrobatics

American  

[ak-ruh-bat-iks] / ˌæk rəˈbæt ɪks /

noun

acrobatics plural

1. (used with a plural verb) the feats of an acrobat; gymnastics.

2. (used with a singular verb) the art or practice of acrobatic feats.

3. (used with a plural verb) something performed with remarkable agility and ease.

   the verbal acrobatics of a habitual liar.

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acrobatics British  

/ ˌækrəˈbætɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as plural) the skills or feats of an acrobat

2. (functioning as singular) the art of an acrobat

3. (functioning as plural) any activity requiring agility and skill

   mental acrobatics

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• acrobatics
  plural

Etymology

Origin of acrobatics

First recorded in 1880–85; see origin at acrobatic, -ics

Compare meaning

How does acrobatics compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• acrobatics vs. gymnastics

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

acrobatics

France also dispatched its air force acrobatics team to the United States this month to mark the 250th anniversary.

From Barron's ● Jun. 29, 2026

Russell is heard to ask, and is told that such acrobatics are not in that plane’s repertoire.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 9, 2026

The Awakening at Wynn Las Vegas — There’s dancing, illusions, puppetry and acrobatics on full display in “The Awakening,” a visually striking production at Wynn Las Vegas.

From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2026

Shooting Benson Boone’s trademark leaping acrobatics at his Coachella debut this year gave me the chance to bridge the gap between musical generations.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 23, 2025

I’d catch a city bus to go to late-afternoon dance classes at Mayfair Academy on Seventy-Ninth Street, where I was taking jazz and acrobatics.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama