spectaclenoun
uk/ˈspek.tə.kəl/us/ˈspek.tə.kəl/spectacle noun (UNUSUAL EVENT)
[ C ] an unusual or unexpected event or situation that attracts attention, interest, or disapproval:
It was a strange spectacle to see the two former enemies shaking hands and slapping each other on the back.
We witnessed the extraordinary spectacle of an old lady climbing a tree to rescue her cat.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Events and occurrences
- -athon
- a close call idiom
- a close/near thing idiom
- action
- all-nighter
- back story
- be (all) part of life's rich tapestry/pageant idiom
- call
- development
- event
- goings-on
- happening
- incident
- jamboree
- life event
- past
- spree
- synchronicity
- to-ing and fro-ing
- turn of events
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spectacle noun (PUBLIC EVENT)
[ C or U ] a public event or show that is exciting to watch; an exciting appearance:
The carnival was a magnificent spectacle.
The television show was mere spectacle (= had an exciting appearance, but little value).
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Spectacles & performances
- act
- amateur dramatics
- amateur theater
- barnstorm
- bullfight
- co-production
- command performance
- curtain-raiser
- double bill
- mano a mano
- performance
- performance art
- premiere
- Punch and Judy show
- pyrotechnics
- spot
- tableau
- talent contest
- theatricals
- variety
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spectacle noun (GLASSES)
spectacles [ plural ] informal specs, old-fashioned
glasses:
a pair of spectacles
steel-rimmed spectacles
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Eyesight, glasses & lenses
- (as) blind as a bat idiom
- 20/20 vision
- age-related macular degeneration
- AMD
- Balint's syndrome
- blepharospasm
- blind side
- blindly
- ciliary
- cross-eyed
- dispensing optician
- horn-rimmed
- lorgnette
- nearsighted
- ophthalmologist
- optic
- optometrist
- safety glasses
- sightless
- twenty-twenty vision
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spectacle
adjective [ before noun ] uk/ˈspek.tə.kəl/us/ˈspek.tə.kəl/
a spectacle case
Idiom(s)
make a spectacle of yourself