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

Every so often, these major fashion houses play musical chairs with their creative directors, moving white men around like interchangeable Monopoly pieces, leaving the industry buzzing. —Kedean Smith, Essence, 3 Apr. 2025

Naturally, the players then do their best to interrupt the riddle, with Eva Erickson holding out hope that a game of musical chairs could be in the cards. —EW.com, 3 Apr. 2025

Drafting a defensive end early could be the answer to the 49ers’ long-running musical chairs situation at the position. —Matt Barrows, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Plus, the game of creative-director musical chairs continues with Jonathan Anderson’s departure from Loewe. —Joanna Solotaroff, Vogue, 20 Mar. 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