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

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

Sixty miniature robots dressed in opera costumes performed alongside human acrobats. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2025

There will also be a nightly circus show featuring aerialists, acrobats, clowns, jugglers and motorcycle stunt riders. —Abby Hamblin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025

The Chinese American acrobat was heading home for treatment and recovery, which should take a few months. —Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 3 July 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