Etymology Map
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Acrobat

3 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means an entertainer who performs gymnastic feats

Where does the word "acrobat" come from? It comes from Greek akrobatēs, passing through French before entering English (1820s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
akrobatēs
Greek · ancient
"tiptoe-walker"
'akros', topmost, plus 'bainein', to walk: someone who walks on tiptoe
2
Stage 2 of 3
acrobate
French · 1700s
"tightrope walker"
revived for rope-dancers and circus performers
3
Stage 3 of 3
acrobat
English · 1820s
"a gymnast performer"
spread with the rise of the modern circus
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Read the full story

Acrobat’s story begins in Greek: akrobatēs meant “tiptoe-walker.” 'akros', topmost, plus 'bainein', to walk: someone who walks on tiptoe. By 1700s, the word had taken hold in French as acrobate. Revived for rope-dancers and circus performers. It reached English by 1820s as acrobat. Spread with the rise of the modern circus. Today, acrobat means an entertainer who performs gymnastic feats.