acrobat

noun

ac·​ro·​bat ˈa-krə-ˌbat 

1

: one that performs gymnastic feats requiring skillful control of the body

2

a

: one skillful at exercises of intellectual or artistic dexterity

b

: one adept at swiftly changing or adapting a position or viewpoint

a political acrobat

Synonyms

• gymnast
• turner

Examples of acrobat in a Sentence

a child who is a natural acrobat with a superb sense of balance

a political acrobat whose opinion on any issue is whatever will get the most votes

Recent Examples on the Web

Originally a model, acrobat, and dancer, Gala later became a full-time drag performer. —EW.com, 15 July 2024

Emotional resonance was the North Star that guided the seven years Zimbalist and his team spent working with rooftop acrobats/filmmakers Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus. —Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 26 June 2024

The Ramadhani Brothers floored the judges with their gravity-defying, balancing act, which involves one acrobat balancing the other's full body weight on his head while traversing different set pieces. —Edward Segarra, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2024

Fans could enjoy dances and watch performances by violin players and acrobats dressed in historically accurate garb under chandelier lighting. —Erika Tulfo, CNN, 18 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French acrobates, acrobate, borrowed from Middle Greek akrobátēs "tightrope walker," agent derivative of Greek akróbatos "walking on tiptoe," from akro- acro- + -batos, verbal adjective from baínein "to walk, go" — more at come entry 1

First Known Use

1827, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

acrobat

noun

ac·​ro·​bat ˈak-rə-ˌbat 

: a person (as a circus performer) who is very good at stunts like jumping, balancing, tumbling, and swinging from things

acrobatic

ˌak-rə-ˈbat-ik 

adjective

acrobatically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb