stilt

Clown's walking pole

A stilt is a pole with a footrest, used in pairs to elevate a walker above the ground—whether for entertainment, crossing flooded areas, or traditional ceremonies.

The word extends to the tall supporting posts that raise buildings above water or unstable ground: houses on stilts.

Stilts are also long-legged wading birds.

Figuratively, stilted language or behavior is stiff and artificially formal, as if elevated above natural expression.

bird

flamingo

Pink wading bird

heronLong-legged waterside bird
craneLifter or wader
egretWhite wading bird

ibis · avocet · sandpiper · plover · wader · shorebird · long-legged · wading · wetlands · marsh

walking

circus

Traveling entertainment with performers

performerOne who entertains audiences
clownComedic performer in makeup
entertainerOne who amuses others

parade · festival · carnival · balance · coordination · dexterity · poise · acrobat · street performer · busker

construction

scaffolding

Temporary exterior work platform

platformRaised flat structure
pierWaterfront landing structure
pilingStructural support column

foundation · post · pole · elevation · framework · support · beam · joist · strut · brace

elevation

raised

Lifted higher up

elevatedRaised above usual level
heightVertical extent upward
liftMechanism for vertical transport

above ground · lofty · towering · suspend · upraise · heighten · perch · platform · level · clearance

stilt

flamingo

circus

scaffolding

raised

stilt

Opposites

Phrases

Categories

Family