# circus

/ˈsɝkəs/ (US) · /sˈɜːkəs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/circus
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. travelling show

noun · CEFR A2

a group of performers like clowns, acrobats, and magicians who travel to different places to put on shows.

For teachers: a travelling company of performers, typically including acrobats, clowns, and trained animals, performing in a circular arena.

- The children were excited when the circus came to town and set up a big tent.
- The traditional circus featured a variety of death-defying aerial acts and slapstick comedy routines that appealed to audiences of all ages.

### 2. chaotic situation

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a place or event that is very noisy, busy, or disorganized.

For teachers: a situation characterized by noisy, confused, or excessive activity; often used to describe media frenzies or disorganized events.

- The office became a total circus as everyone tried to finish their reports at the last minute.
- The trial turned into a media circus, with hundreds of reporters camped outside the courthouse vying for a single quote from the lawyers.

### 3. circular junction

noun · CEFR B2 · British English

a round open area in a city where several streets meet.

For teachers: a circular open space at the intersection of several streets, common in British urban planning.

- We met our friends at Piccadilly Circus before going to see a play.
- The city's most famous circus serves as a major transport hub, connecting four primary arterial roads in the heart of the shopping district.

### 4. ancient Roman arena

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a large, long building used for chariot races in ancient Rome.

For teachers: an ancient Roman roofless enclosure, usually oblong with rounded ends, used primarily for chariot racing and gladiatorial games.

- The guide showed us the ruins of the ancient circus where chariots once raced.
- Archaeological excavations revealed the original foundations of the circus, providing insight into the massive scale of Roman public entertainment.

### 5. to perform or display

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to perform in a circus or to show something off in a loud, public way.

For teachers: to perform in or as if in a circus; to parade or display something in a theatrical or public manner.

- The politician circused his ideas across the country to gain more votes.
- The troupe circused through the provinces, bringing a fleeting sense of wonder to the isolated rural communities they visited.

## Examples

- The children were excited to see the clowns at the circus.
- The media circus surrounding the celebrity trial made it difficult for the jury to enter the building quietly.
- What began as a serious political debate quickly devolved into a media circus, with reporters jostling for position and shouting over the candidates' closing statements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.