circus
Clowns and acrobats
A circus is a traveling entertainment show featuring acrobats, clowns, trained animals, and other performers, traditionally staged under a large tent.
The word extends to any chaotic or spectacular scene: The press conference turned into a circus.
In ancient Rome, a circus was an oval arena for chariot races and public spectacles.
A traffic circle may be called a circus, especially in British place names: Piccadilly Circus.
Agile circus performer
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- jugglerMulti-object thrower-catcher
- ringmasterCircus performance director
- aerialistCircus performer aloft
contortionist · fire-eater · magician · stilt-walker · equilibrist · tumbler · unicyclist · illusionist
Tusked gray giant
- tigerLarge striped Asian feline
- lionManed African feline
- bearLarge furry omnivore
- horseDomesticated riding animal
seal · monkey · parrot · poodle · trainer · tamer · whip · cage
Lavish, elaborate entertainment
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- fanfareCeremonial brass announcement
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
- dazzleImpress through radiance
glitter · sequins · spotlight · parade · procession · finale · costume · spangles
Heavy woven cloth
- polesLong sticks or extremities
- stakesPosts or wagers
- ropesBraided flexible cords
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
sawdust · bleachers · rigging · three-ring · sideshow · midway · grandstand · seating
Flavian arena in Rome
- arenaVenue for contests
- amphitheaterOpen-air tiered venue
- gladiatorAncient Roman arena combatant
- hippodromeAncient equestrian arena
spectacle · games · ancient · Roman · racing · oval · track · emperor
acrobat
Agile circus performer
- clownComedic performer in makeup
- jugglerMulti-object thrower-catcher
- ringmasterCircus performance director
aerialist · contortionist · fire-eater · magician · stilt-walker · equilibrist · tumbler · unicyclist · illusionist · sword-swallower
elephant
Tusked gray giant
horse · seal · monkey · parrot · poodle · trainer · tamer · whip · cage · tricks
extravaganza
Lavish, elaborate entertainment
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- fanfareCeremonial brass announcement
- showmanshipSkill at impressive presentation
dazzle · glitter · sequins · spotlight · parade · procession · finale · costume · spangles · feathers
canvas
Heavy woven cloth
marquee · sawdust · bleachers · rigging · three-ring · sideshow · midway · grandstand · seating · entrance
Colosseum
Flavian arena in Rome
- arenaVenue for contests
- amphitheaterOpen-air tiered venue
- gladiatorAncient Roman arena combatant
hippodrome · spectacle · games · ancient · Roman · racing · oval · track · emperor · crowd
clown
Comedic performer in makeup
mime · slapstick · pratfall · gags · whiteface · greasepaint · foolery · antics · pantomime · shtick
chaos
Complete disorder and confusion
pandemonium · uproar · commotion · disorder · frenzy · turmoil · hullabaloo · shambles · anarchy · zoo
- entertainmentmovie, movies, films, band, television
- attractionszoo, museum, theme park, amusement park, water park
- circusbig top, clown, clowns, ringmaster, acrobat
- carnivalparade, costume, float, ferris wheel, roller coaster
- chaos idiomsall hell breaks loose, pandemonium, madhouse, bedlam, zoo
- commotioncommotion, clamor, brouhaha, bedlam, hullabaloo
circusopera house
Venue for staged singing
theater · concert hall · museum · gallery · lecture hall
- full circleReturn to origin
- circuit boardElectronics interconnection substrate
- inner circleExclusive group of confidants
- circular argumentsProofs requiring their conclusions
- come full circleReturn to origin
- short circuitAccidental low-resistance path
circle, circuit, circular, circulate, encircle, circulation, circling, circumstance, circumvent