noun

sideshow

SYD-shoh

Sideshow (noun) means a minor attraction at a larger event such as a fair or circus. Example: “The bearded lady was one of the sideshow attractions at the carnival.”

noun

A minor attraction at a larger event such as a fair or circus.

"The bearded lady was one of the sideshow attractions at the carnival."

An event or issue that distracts from something more important.

"The scandal became a sideshow that overshadowed the actual policy debate."

How to use sideshow

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA minor attraction, or a distraction from the main matter at hand.

Common pairings

carnival sideshow a mere sideshow

Word forms

sideshows plural

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The bearded lady was one of the _____ attractions at the carnival.

Etymology

A compound of "side" and "show".

Frequently asked questions

What does “sideshow” mean?

The word “sideshow” means a minor attraction at a larger event such as a fair or circus. In plain terms, a minor attraction, or a distraction from the main matter at hand.

How do you pronounce “sideshow”?

“Sideshow” is pronounced SYD-shoh (/ˈsaɪdˌʃoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “sideshow” in a sentence?

Here is “sideshow” used in a sentence: “The bearded lady was one of the sideshow attractions at the carnival.”

What part of speech is “sideshow”?

“Sideshow” is a noun.

How many meanings does “sideshow” have?

“Sideshow” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a minor attraction at a larger event such as a fair or circus.

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Words that end with W