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Definition of spectacle

spectacle

/ˈspɛktəkəl/
spec · ta · cle
Adverb:spectacularly
•
Plural:spectacles
•
Adjective:spectacular
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spectacle Lexical Profile

spectacle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A visually striking, elaborate, or impressive performance, display, or event.

Example

"The opening ceremony of the festival was a breathtaking spectacle of light and music."

2

An embarrassing, ridiculous, or pitiful public scene or situation that attracts unwanted attention.

Example

"He was advised to stay calm during the meeting so as not to make a spectacle of himself."

3

A pair of lenses set in a frame worn on the nose and ears to correct or assist defective eyesight (used in the plural 'spectacles').

Example

"The professor peered over the rims of his spectacles to address the lecture hall."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for spectacle

Word Nuance & Usage

In the singular ('a spectacle'), the word refers to a striking display or an embarrassing public scene (as in 'making a spectacle of oneself'); in the plural ('spectacles'), it is a somewhat formal or dated term for eyeglasses.

• Rhymes for spectacle

• Nearby Words

speckless
speckly
specs
spectacle
spectacled
spectacled bear
spectacled caiman

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in Middle English via Old French from Latin 'spectaculum' ('public show or sight'), derived from the verb 'spectare' ('to watch or behold').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spectacle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spectacle
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