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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

spectacle

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Spectacle (noun) means a striking or unusual scene, show or performance. Example: “The lantern parade through the old town was a wonderful spectacle for the children.”

noun
1
A striking or unusual scene, show or performance.
"The lantern parade through the old town was a wonderful spectacle for the children."
"A huge flock of starlings twisting across the sky made a breathtaking spectacle."
"Crowds gathered on the bridge to watch the boat race, a real spectacle."
"The horse race was a thrilling spectacle."
2
The sense of drama and excitement that a show, product or display creates.
"The director wanted pure spectacle, with enormous sets and hundreds of costumed dancers."
"Some people love the spectacle of a big concert more than the music itself."
"The product launch relied on spectacle, with lasers, smoke and a drumming band."
3
An awkward or undignified scene that people notice.
"Please stop shouting in the shop, because you are making a spectacle of yourself."
"He tripped and fell into the fountain, and felt like a ridiculous spectacle."
"I did not want to make a spectacle at the wedding, so I stayed quiet."
"He made a spectacle out of himself."
4
The transparent scale that covers a snake's eye.
"Before a snake sheds its skin, the spectacle over each eye turns cloudy."
"The vet checked that the spectacle on the python's eye had come off cleanly."
"A snake cannot blink because each eye is covered by a fixed spectacle."
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The lantern parade through the old town was a wonderful _____ for the children.

Etymology

Spectacle came into English from Middle English spectacle, borrowed from Middle French spectacle, which goes back to Latin spectāculum ("a show, spectacle"). That in turn derives from spectō ("to see, behold"), a frequentative of speciō ("to see") — see species. It is a doublet of spectaculum.

Related words

Rhymes for spectacle

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Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of spectacle?
"spectacle" (noun) means a striking or unusual scene, show or performance.
What is another word for spectacle?
Other words for "spectacle" include show, pageant.
What are the different meanings of spectacle?
"spectacle" has 3 main meanings: 1. A striking or unusual scene, show or performance; 2. The sense of drama and excitement that a show, product or display creates; 3. An awkward or undignified scene that people notice.
How do you use spectacle in a sentence?
Example: "The lantern parade through the old town was a wonderful spectacle for the children."

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Definitions from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0