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

The former acrobat died Tuesday morning at his Northridge, CA home, according to a statement shared by his fellow stunt performer Darlene Williams Bostock, who grew up training with Yerkes. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 4 Oct. 2024

Whilst Carousel Lounge is home to highly immersive, experimental productions from the high-flying aerial circus show, House of Houdini, to the mid-air rock solos of Rock Circus, where acrobats spin and leap to the greatest hits of AC/DC and Guns & Roses. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes, 4 Sep. 2024

The two-hour Down The Rabbit Hole production sees singers, dancers, acrobats, aerial artists and contortionists in elaborate costumes perform pop hits by artists like Prince and Kylie Minogue, as well as beloved stage songs, throughout a spectacular evening. —Natasha Amar, Forbes, 13 Sep. 2024

More country concert news:Brooks & Dunn announce April 2025 stop at Gainbridge Fieldhouse Moroney joins country icons Alabama, comedian Leanne Morgan and the acrobats of Cirque du Soleil on the venue's inaugural slate of performers. —Holly V. Hays, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 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