main event
Star bout tonight
The main event is the featured attraction, especially the final and most anticipated bout on a boxing or wrestling card.
Extended to any context, it's what people came to see: The keynote speech was the main event.
In casual use, it can mean the most important part of any gathering or occasion.
Concluding part of performance
- culminationHighest or final point
- peakUtmost height attained
- crescendoGradual increase in loudness
- showdownDecisive final confrontation
apex · zenith · pinnacle · grand finale · climactic · decisive moment · turning point · high point
Top-billed performer
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
- extravaganzaLavish, elaborate entertainment
gala · premiere · centerpiece · attraction · draw · crowd-pleaser · star attraction · standing ovation
Playing the lead role
- headlineNews article title
- keynoteCentral theme or speech
- flagshipCommander's principal vessel
- premierFirst in importance
foremost · leading · principal · chief · primary · dominant · prominent · signature
Gradual accumulation over time
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- hypeExaggerated promotional fanfare
- lead-upPreliminary period or events
- expectationBelief about future outcomes
preparation · warm-up · prelude · excitement · buzz · waiting · long-awaited · coming attraction
finale
Concluding part of performance
- culminationHighest or final point
- peakUtmost height attained
- crescendoGradual increase in loudness
showdown · apex · zenith · pinnacle · grand finale · climactic · decisive moment · turning point · high point · crowning moment
headliner
Top-billed performer
- blockbusterEnormously successful entertainment property
- marqueeTheater entrance canopy
- showstopperSpectacular crowd-pleasing performance
extravaganza · gala · premiere · centerpiece · attraction · draw · crowd-pleaser · star attraction · standing ovation · fireworks
starring
Playing the lead role
premier · foremost · leading · principal · chief · primary · dominant · prominent · signature · centerpiece
buildup
Gradual accumulation over time
- countdownBackward enumeration to zero
- hypeExaggerated promotional fanfare
- lead-upPreliminary period or events
expectation · preparation · warm-up · prelude · excitement · buzz · waiting · long-awaited · coming attraction · preview
- "Main" phrases
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- Pro Wrestlingheel, WrestleMania, face turn, Royal Rumble, kayfabe
- pokerblinds, all-in, all in, call, seven-card stud
- racingrace, racing, race track, racetrack, lap
- showbizHollywood, Bollywood, Tinseltown, backstage, behind the scenes
main eventopening act
Preliminary concert performer
undercard · curtain raiser · warm-up act · prelim · supporting act
main eventsideshow
Secondary carnival attraction
afterthought · footnote · triviality · non-event · distraction
main, event, mainly, events, maintain, maintenance, eventually, mainstream, uneventful