acrobat
Big-top gymnast
An acrobat performs feats of balance, agility, and coordination—walking tightropes, tumbling, swinging from trapezes.
The word extends to anyone who displays similar nimbleness: a political acrobat who pivots positions without losing support, or verbal acrobatics that dodge direct answers.
The acrobats formed a human pyramid.
Acrobatic rolling and flipping
- somersaultFull-body forward rotation
- cartwheelLateral body rotation
- handstandInverted balance on palms
- flipQuick turning motion
vault · floor exercise · balance beam · dismount · backflip · aerial · twist · pike
Suspended acrobatic bar
- big topMain circus tent
- ringmasterCircus performance director
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
- aerialistCircus performer aloft
contortionist · tumbler · high wire · flying trapeze · sequins · leotard · net · aerial silk
One who entertains audiences
- showmanDramatic, attention-grabbing performer
- buskerPublic-space entertainer seeking donations
- vaudevillianVariety show performer
- artisteSkilled public entertainer
troupe · Cirque du Soleil · street performer · spectacle · act · variety · cabaret · sideshow
Ease of quick movement
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- quicknessState of being fast
- gracefulnessSmoothness of movement
athleticism · fluidity · suppleness · precision · reflexes · swiftness · light-footed · spryness
Reckless risk-taker
- dangerExposure to harm
- fearlessLacking any apprehension
- death-defyingRisking life boldly
- perilSerious threat of harm
stunt · hazard · fall · injury · safety net · harness · spotter · trust
State of balance
- steadinessState of being constant
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
- handstandInverted balance on palms
headstand · one-handed · counterbalance · centering · stability · slack line · equilibrist · stacking
Unnatural twisting or bending
- suppleFlexing without damage
- limberBending without resistance
- litheSupple and graceful
- bendableAble to curve
elastic · splits · backbend · hypermobility · stretching · double-jointed · twisting · folding
tumbling
Acrobatic rolling and flipping
- somersaultFull-body forward rotation
- cartwheelLateral body rotation
- handstandInverted balance on palms
flip · vault · floor exercise · balance beam · dismount · backflip · aerial · twist · pike · tuck
trapeze
Suspended acrobatic bar
- big topMain circus tent
- ringmasterCircus performance director
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
aerialist · contortionist · tumbler · high wire · flying trapeze · sequins · leotard · net · aerial silk · hoop
performer
One who entertains audiences
- showmanDramatic, attention-grabbing performer
- buskerPublic-space entertainer seeking donations
- vaudevillianVariety show performer
artiste · troupe · Cirque du Soleil · street performer · spectacle · act · variety · cabaret · sideshow · carnival
nimbleness
Ease of quick movement
- dexteritySkillful hand coordination
- coordinationOrganized cooperative movement
- quicknessState of being fast
gracefulness · athleticism · fluidity · suppleness · precision · reflexes · swiftness · light-footed · spryness · mobility
daredevil
Reckless risk-taker
- dangerExposure to harm
- fearlessLacking any apprehension
- death-defyingRisking life boldly
peril · stunt · hazard · fall · injury · safety net · harness · spotter · trust · courage
equilibrium
State of balance
- steadinessState of being constant
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- tightropeTaut cord for walking
handstand · headstand · one-handed · counterbalance · centering · stability · slack line · equilibrist · stacking · base
contortion
Unnatural twisting or bending
bendable · elastic · splits · backbend · hypermobility · stretching · double-jointed · twisting · folding · pretzel
- circuscircus, big top, clown, clowns, ringmaster
- circus actstrapeze artist, juggling, jugglers, clown, tightrope
- circus workersclown, ringmaster, trapeze artist, lion tamer, juggler
- parade performersdrum major, majorette, baton twirler, color guard, flag bearer
- street performancemime, busker, busking, juggler, juggling
- theater peopleactors, actor, directors, actresses, actress
- acrobatic featsSkilled gymnastic performances
- mental acrobaticsConvoluted reasoning to justify
- aerial acrobaticsGymnastic maneuvers in flight
- acrobatic stuntsAthletic aerial maneuvers
- Adobe AcrobatPDF document application
- acrobatic routineChoreographed athletic performance sequence