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

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

They were treated with a spectacle in five acts that included dancers, cheerleaders, acrobats, a mascot, a live music performance and even a marching band. —Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2025

Heiduck, the police spokesperson, said that the aerial acrobat was not using a safety rope at the time of her death. —Latoya Gayle, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2025

Singers Jessica Sanchez, Jourdan Blue and the Leo High School Choir Choir are safe, as are improv Rapper Chris Turner, projectionists LightWire, and acrobats Sirca Marea. —Lars Brandle, Billboard, 18 Sep. 2025

One of the world's biggest events, but artists pay their own way Every August, Edinburgh's streets fill with acrobats, mimes, and people in all sorts of costumes. —Lauren Frayer, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025

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

Rhymes for acrobat

• autocrat
• automat
• bundesrat
• bureaucrat
• butterfat
• caveat
• chemostat
• copycat
• cryostat
• democrat
• diplomat
• guzerat

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