circus

noun

cir·​cus ˈsər-kəs 

often attributive

1

a

: a large arena enclosed by tiers of seats on three or all four sides and used especially for sports or spectacles (such as athletic contests, exhibitions of horsemanship, or in ancient times chariot racing)

b

: a public spectacle

2

a

: an arena often covered by a tent and used for variety shows usually including feats of physical skill, wild animal acts, and performances by clowns

b

: a circus performance

c

: the physical plant, livestock, and personnel of such a circus

d

: something suggestive of a circus (as in frenzied activity, sensationalism, theatricality, or razzle-dazzle)

a media circus

3

a

obsolete : circle, ring

b

British : a usually circular area at an intersection of streets

circusy

ˈsər-kə-sē 

adjective

Synonyms of circus

• madhouse
• bedlam

Examples of circus in a Sentence

He worked for a small circus.

We're going to the circus.

Recent Examples on the Web

The banks of the pool—at its best a scene of unparalleled American majesty—took on a sort of circus atmosphere as locals and tourists alike stopped by to see the disaster for themselves. — Matt Viser, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026

The 2026 circus between LSU and Ole Miss, thanks to Lane Kiffin, will arrive later this week to Tampa. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

In the past, when FIFA’s circus leaves town, most people seem to forget what all the fuss was about; after all, how many people spent this summer discussing migrant worker rights in Qatar (as many had done in 2022)? — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Between absurd resale prices and the logistical circus of match day, plenty of fans will be watching from places beyond the stadium. — Ali Farooqui, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, circle, circus — more at circle

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing circus

• circus catch
• circus peanut
• three-ring circus

Rhymes for circus

• quercus

Kids Definition

circus

noun

cir·​cus ˈsər-kəs 

1

: a large arena enclosed by rows of seats (as in ancient Rome)

2

a

: a show that usually travels from place to place and that has a variety of exhibitions including acrobatic feats, wild animal displays, and performances by clowns

b

: a circus performance

c

: the performers and equipment of such a circus

d

: something that suggests a circus

Etymology

from Latin circus "circle, arena"