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

While special effects are cool and all, there's nothing like seeing someone (like Heidi in peacock form) balance on top of acrobats to really make excitement fly. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025

In 2023, the show was revived without live animals and an emphasis on acrobats. —Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Both are situated in a stunning al fresco dining hall that hosts roving performers like contortionists and acrobats throughout dinner service. —Sara Liss, Bon Appetit Magazine, 14 Oct. 2025

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

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