Words / A1

SURK-uh-s/ˈsɜːkəs/

A circus is a show with clowns, acrobats, and sometimes animals, often in a large round tent. Countable: a circus, circuses. A clown is one person in the show, not the whole show; a zoo keeps animals for people to look at, but is not a tent show with tricks. Mix-up: circus vs circle (a round shape) — extra s vs extra le; and circus vs circuit (a loop, later).

Meaning

A show with clowns, acrobats, and sometimes animals, often in a large tent.

Examples

• “The children went to the circus.”
• “The circus is in town for one week.”
• “We sat near the front at the circus.”

Good to know

a circus (tent show, clowns). Contrast: clown (one person), zoo (animals, no tent show). Mix-up: circle.

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