Word
sideshow
US/ˈsaɪdˌʃoʊ/
UK/sˈaɪdʃəʊ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a secondary event or activity that happens at the same time as a main event. It is often used to describe something that is less important than the main attraction.
n. a secondary event or activity occurring simultaneously with a primary event. Often used metaphorically to describe a minor issue that distracts from a more significant problem.
Examples
“The protest turned into a sideshow for the media.”
“While the main debate focused on the economy, the candidates spent most of their time discussing the sideshow of their personal lives.”
“The legal team argued that the scandal was merely a sideshow, designed to divert public attention from the more pressing issues of corporate negligence and environmental harm.”
Examples
simple
“The protest turned into a sideshow for the media.”
contextual
“While the main debate focused on the economy, the candidates spent most of their time discussing the sideshow of their personal lives.”
complex
“The legal team argued that the scandal was merely a sideshow, designed to divert public attention from the more pressing issues of corporate negligence and environmental harm.”
Real-World Examples
“Meanwhile, in the documentary, Young says Mr T made terrible decisions, citing the film Freaked, a comedy set in a sideshow, in which he played the Bearded Lady.” “Tourret at the French marine institute agreed, calling the trips by the Chinese and South Korean vessels a sideshow.” Etymology
From side + show.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/sideshow