3 syllables: Ac, ro, bat. Stress on Ac.
AK-ruh-bat
/ˈækɹəˌbæt/
Acrobat is pronounced AK-ruh-bat (/ˈækɹəˌbæt/). It has three syllables (Ac-ro-bat), with the stress on "Ac". Acrobat (noun) refers to a person who performs gymnastic feats, such as leaps, flips, and balances, often in circuses or stage performances. It can also describe someone who moves with nimble, deft agility, especially in a showy or impressive manner. The term emphasizes physical skill, control, and theatrical presentation.
nounAcrobat (noun) refers to a person who performs gymnastic feats, such as leaps, flips, and balances, often in circuses or stage performances. It can also describe someone who moves with nimble, deft agility, especially in a showy or impressive manner. The term emphasizes physical skill, control, and theatrical presentation.
How to Pronounce Acrobat
"The acrobat vaulted across the stage with a flawless backflip."
"Audience members gasped as the acrobat balanced on a tightrope high above the arena."
"She trained for years to become a professional acrobat and performer."
Pronounce as /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/ (US) or /ˈæk.rəˌbæts/ in some plural usages. The primary stress is on the first syllable: AC-ro-bat. The second syllable uses a schwa in many speakers: /rə/; the final is a crisp /bæt/ (or /bæts/ when plural). Tip: keep the /k/ and /r/ distinct, and avoid conflating with ‘acrobatics.’ Audio references: standard dictionaries provide native speaker audio; try listening to Cambridge/Oxford entries for /ˈæk.rə.bæt/.”,
Common errors: 1) Over-simplifying the second syllable as /əˈbæt/ with a weak or swallowed r; correct with a clear /rə/ or /rəː/ in US English. 2) Fusing the t with the previous consonant, saying /ˈæk.rəˌbæd/ instead of /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/. 3) Dropping the final t in rapid speech; keep a light but audible /t/ or use a lightly released stop. Practice by isolating each syllable: AC-RO-BAT, then blend with slow, controlled transitions.”,
In US English, you’ll hear /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ in the second syllable and a clear /æ/ in final syllable. UK English tends to a non-rhotic /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/ with a shorter /ə/ and crisper /t/ release; vowel height remains similar but with subtle quality shifts. Australian English often features a slightly more centralized /ə/ in the second syllable and a more open /æ/ in the final vowel; final /t/ can be unreleased or lightly aspirated. IPA references: US /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/, UK /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/, AU /ˈæk.rəˌbæt/.”,
Two main challenges: the first syllable places a crisp /æ/ before /k/ and /r/, requiring precise tongue placement; the second syllable uses a schwa before a stressed /bæt/, which can blur if you’re not consciously fronting the vowel and maintaining a strong /b/ and /t/ articulation. Additionally, the final stressed syllable /bæt/ requires timing to avoid sounding like /ˈæk.rəˌbæd/. Focus on clear syllable boundaries and a steady rhythm to avoid vowel reduction distortion.
In acrobat, the prefix 'acro-' is pronounced with a short 'a' as in 'cat' ( /ˈæk- / ), distinct from some other words where 'ac-' or 'acro-' might shift slightly depending on phonetic context. The critical factor is preserving the /æ/ in the first syllable, the /rə/ schwa in the second, and the /bæt/ final. While 'across' uses a different root and pronunciation (/əˈkrɒs/ in UK, /əˈkrɔːs/ in US), acrobat keeps the primary stress on the first syllable and maintains the three-syllable structure.
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Acrobat comes from the French acrobate, which itself derives from the Italian acrobata, from the Greek akrobates, meaning ‘high walker’ or ‘one who practices at the summit.’ The Greek roots are akron ‘top, height’ and bainein ‘to go, walk.’ The term entered English in the early 17th century, originally describing gymnastic performers or mountaineers and later broadening to skilled, agile performers in circuses and theatres. Over time, usage shifted from a literal meaning (a high-walker) to a broader sense of a person skilled in acrobatic feats, physical prowess, and dramatic showmanship. In modern usage, acrobat often implies both athletic ability and performative flair, especially in vertical or aerial stunts and balancing acts. First known uses appear in 17th-century texts referencing street performers or gymnastic artists, with gradual adoption into stage and circus lexicon by the 18th and 19th centuries. The word retains its core sense of height-oriented skill to this day, though it increasingly appears metaphorically to describe agile, deft movement in other domains as well.
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Words that rhyme with "Acrobat"
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