musical chairs

noun

plural in form but singular in construction

: a game in which players march to music around a row of chairs numbering one less than the players and scramble for seats when the music stops

also : a situation or series of events suggesting the game of musical chairs (as in rapid change or confusing activity)

Examples of musical chairs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This extra, low-effort step makes guests feel especially welcome, as well as nips any potential musical chairs awkwardness in the bud. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

After a game of politico musical chairs, the ballot for open county seats has been finalized. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Dec. 2025

After nearly a year of musical chairs since Kotb's departure, Jones emerged as the last woman sitting. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 11 Dec. 2025

California‘s new congressional maps could leave only four of the Golden State’s current nine House Republicans as winners in what’s become a high-stakes game of political musical chairs. —David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for musical chairs

• concessionaires
• affaires
• affairs
• armchairs
• bulgars
• compares
• crosshairs
• declares
• despairs
• downstairs
• forbears
• forebears