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
- bowl
- coliseum
- colosseum
- stadium
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
He worked for a small circus. We're going to the circus.
Recent Examples on the Web The report - citing the sheriff - confirms no circus is in town. 
Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 Martin had grown up in Portland, Maine, and was obsessed with the circus, even training with the influential mime teacher Jacques Lecoq. Zachary Pincus-roth, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 Of course, no circus would be complete without clowns. Jeff Banowetz, chicagotribune.com, 13 Apr. 2022 But yet another hyper-partisan Judiciary Committee circus over a potential Supreme Court justice is sure to further tarnish the reputation of a critical branch of government at an already fraught political moment. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 23 Mar. 2022 And so, shortly after running away with the circus, Stan runs away from it, taking Pete’s little black book — a cheat sheet for a mind-reading act with real potential for someone with vision — and Molly along with him. Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Dec. 2021 In Fellini’s movies, life was a circus, and today, life is a swirling EDM tequila party. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 The 1975 are making a circus out of their newest single. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2022 After leaving a traveling circus, EO begins a trek across the Polish and Italian countryside, experiencing cruelty and kindness in equal measure. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 See More
Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 9 Sep. 2022 Martin had grown up in Portland, Maine, and was obsessed with the circus, even training with the influential mime teacher Jacques Lecoq. Zachary Pincus-roth, Washington Post, 19 May 2022 Of course, no circus would be complete without clowns. Jeff Banowetz, chicagotribune.com, 13 Apr. 2022 But yet another hyper-partisan Judiciary Committee circus over a potential Supreme Court justice is sure to further tarnish the reputation of a critical branch of government at an already fraught political moment. Stephen Collinson, CNN, 23 Mar. 2022 And so, shortly after running away with the circus, Stan runs away from it, taking Pete’s little black book — a cheat sheet for a mind-reading act with real potential for someone with vision — and Molly along with him. Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Dec. 2021 In Fellini’s movies, life was a circus, and today, life is a swirling EDM tequila party. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Sep. 2022 The 1975 are making a circus out of their newest single. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 1 Sep. 2022 After leaving a traveling circus, EO begins a trek across the Polish and Italian countryside, experiencing cruelty and kindness in equal measure. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
circus
noun
cir·cus ˈsər-kəs
: a traveling show that often takes place under a tent and that usually includes acts performed by acrobats, clowns, and trained animals
circus
noun
1
as in stadium
a large usually roofless building for sporting events with tiers of seats for spectators the Roman circus is believed to have held 50,000 spectators in ancient times Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- stadium
- coliseum
- park
- bowl
- colosseum
- gym
- gymnasium
- dome
- hippodrome
- spa
- arena
- ballpark
2
as in madhouse
a place of uproar or confusion with seven kids in the house, it's a circus most of the time Synonyms & Similar Words
- madhouse
- bedlam
- commotion
- babel
- three-ring circus
- bustle
- racket
- chaos
- pandemonium
- mess
- turmoil
- scrum
- brouhaha
- ruckus
- hubbub
- noise
- tumult
- disarray
- din
- disorder
- shambles
- clatter
- clamor
- hell
- havoc
- disarrangement
- confusion
- muss
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- organization
- paradise
- utopia
- heaven
- peace
- order
- orderliness
- respite
- arcadia
- lull
- silence
- calm
- stillness
- hush
- quiet
3
as in exhibit
an elaborate, visually exciting show or event the media circus that took place outside the courthouse every day of the murder trial Synonyms & Similar Words
- exhibit
- pageant
- spectacle
- extravaganza
- exhibition
- spectacular
- display
- raree-show
- exposition