circus

Meaning

Noun

1. A traveling company of performers that may include acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other novelty acts, that gives shows usually in a circular tent.
2. A round open space in a town or city where multiple streets meet.
3. (figuratively) A spectacle; a noisy fuss; a chaotic and/or crowded place.
4. (historical) In the ancient Roman Empire, a building for chariot racing.
5. A code name for bomber attacks with fighter escorts in the day time. The attacks were against short-range targets with the intention of occupying enemy fighters and keeping their fighter units in the area concerned.
6. (obsolete) Circuit; space; enclosure.

Verb

To take part in a circus; or to be displayed as if in a circus

Synonyms

carnival

hippodrome

circle

⭕

cirque

exhibition

match

race-course

racetrack

ring

💍

roundabout

square

theatre

top

🔝

traffic circle

turf

circus tent

equestrian feats

circular place

traffic rotary

amphitheater

round top

big top

Translations

cirque

circo

Zirkus

circo

circ

circo

τσίρκο

circus

sirk

سيرك

circus

circ

cruzamento

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈsɜːkəs/

Etymology

From Middle English circus, circo, from Latin circus (“ring, circle”), from Ancient Greek κρίκος (kríkos), κίρκος (kírkos, “ring”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker- (“to bend, turn”). Doublet of cirque. Cognate with Old English hring (whence English ring) and Old English hringsetl (“circus”, literally “ring-seat”).

Sentences

We talked of the side show in the circus .