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

• 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 circus company Spiegelworld launched its immersive DiscoShow last year at the Linq Hotel, with an attached restaurant called Diner Ross, serving disco fries, green goddess wedge salads, and Midori sours. —AFAR Media, 14 July 2025

White-stripe nails Circus-stripe nails Just like a striped Big Top tent, this circus set is complete with stars and clowns. —Dominic Cadogan, Glamour, 9 July 2025

There would be an ATV Expo, a circus menagerie and a demolition derby on the day of the All-Star Game. —Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 8 July 2025

Water Circus Gold See master jugglers, contortionists, trampoline performers and more at this animal-free circus. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

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"