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tightrope walker

tightrope walker

2 5.5
A performer who walks and balances on a thin rope high above the ground
  • noun
  • /ˈtaɪtˌroʊp ˈwɔːkər/
translation icon : funambulista
  • If we want to be entertained by the greatest tightrope walker in the entire world, we must cooperate.
  • a famous tightrope walker
  • balance like a tightrope walker
  • a world-famous tightrope walker

Examples

  • On the ground on the other side, they begged the tightrope walker for his autograph.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • During the circus performance, the tightrope walker amazed the audience with daring stunts on the thin rope.

  • "Why do I need all that?" asked the tightrope walker.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Like a tightrope walker, he knows it's a long way down if he steps over the line.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The tightrope walker did not do drugs or drink liquor.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The tightrope walker broke down and cried in his dressing room.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The tightrope walker constantly sought new challenges, unprecedented risks to take.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • The tightrope walker ran to the rescue of the sobbing woman.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Maxie knew that the tightrope walker needed a confidant who would keep his secrets and understand his tensions and excesses.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • Whenever the world-famous tightrope walker staged one of his mind-boggling feats of daring, he opened the show with women.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

acrobat
vstightrope walker
22 4.4

A person who does skilled, risky moves like flips and tightrope walking

is a specialised balancing performer who works high above the ground
aerialist
vstightrope walker
2 8.5

A performer who swings on ropes like a trapeze doing acrobatic tricks high above the ground

is limited to balancing on a single suspended rope rather than many apparatus
circus acrobat
vstightrope walker
1 3.7

A person who does physical tricks and jumps in a circus show

is a specific balancing act often done high above rather than general performance feats
funambulist
vstightrope walker
  • Specialized
9.9

A person who walks on a thin rope high above the ground

is usually performed high above the ground
ropewalker
vstightrope walker
8.3

A person who walks on a rope high above the ground and does tricks

focuses on varied balancing feats and routines rather than only walking
ropedancer
vstightrope walker
8.3

A performer who balances on a rope high above the ground

focuses more on acrobatic feats and technical routines rather than entertainment
balancer
vstightrope walker
8.0

A person who holds difficult steady positions in a show

involves balancing while moving along a suspended rope high above

How Risky

tightrope walker
2 5.5
aerialist
2 8.5

Surface Forms

Morphology

tightrope + walker

The meaning 'an acrobat who performs on a tightrope' is directly and compositionally built from 'tightrope' (a rope used for walking or balancing) + 'walker' (a person who walks). This is a straightforward, productive compound noun following transparent English compounding patterns and is likely understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

The noun tightrope walker shows a clear image: a person walking along a very tight rope stretched high above the ground, keeping careful balance so they do not fall. So, it means 'an acrobat or performer who balances and does stunts on a rope high above the ground'.