circus

circus — 名詞

1. travelling entertainers — such as clowns and acrobats, along with trained animal

1.名詞B1
釋義

馬戲團

由小丑、特技演員等組成的巡迴表演

travelling entertainers — such as clowns and acrobats, along with trained animals in some shows — who give performances under a big tent as they move from place to place

例句

Leila's parents took her to the circus for her seventh birthday.

Leila 的爸媽在她七歲生日時帶她去看了馬戲團。

collocation: go to the circus

The circus performers walked through town carrying bright banners and flags.

馬戲團的表演者拿著鮮豔的旗幟走過鎮上街道。

attributive noun: circus performers

同義詞
  • carnival

    larger event with rides and games, not limited to acrobatic performances

  • big top

    refers specifically to the circus tent, often used as a nickname for the whole circus

  • travelling show

    broader term that may not include animals or acrobats

文法句型

the + circus

circus + noun (attributive)

用法筆記

Usually used with the definite article: the circus. Often appears in compound nouns to describe performers or equipment: circus performer, circus tent, circus act.

常見錯誤

❌I went to circus yesterday.
✅I went to the circus yesterday.
💡This sense almost always needs an article or determiner before the noun.
❌I saw circus in the park.
✅There was a circus in the park.' or 'I saw a circus in the park.
💡Use 'a' or 'the' when introducing the idea.

2. a noisy and confused situation full of over-the-top behaviour, especially one th

2.名詞B2
釋義

鬧劇；混亂

喧鬧混亂且引人注目的場面

a noisy and confused situation full of over-the-top behaviour, especially one that draws intense public interest

例句

The trial turned into a media circus with journalists camped outside the court.

那場審判變成了媒體鬧劇，記者們都守在法院外面。

figurative usage: media circus

Rohan refused to take part in the circus of online arguments and insults.

Rohan 拒絕參與網路上的爭吵和謾罵鬧劇。

informal register: the circus of + noun

同義詞
  • spectacle

    more formal and less negative; focuses on the show-like quality

  • commotion

    emphasises noise and disorder rather than public attention

  • fiasco

    highlights failure more than theatricality

反義詞
  • calm

    the opposite of noise and disorder

  • order

    the opposite of confusion and chaos

文法句型

a + adjective + circus

turn into a circus

用法筆記

This sense is figurative and informal. Usually singular. Often preceded by an adjective describing the type of chaos (media circus, political circus) or paired with the verb phrase 'turn into'. Not used for genuine entertainment events.

3. a roughly circular junction where multiple roads converge in a city, frequently

3.名詞B1
釋義

圓環

數條道路交匯的圓形空地

a roughly circular junction where multiple roads converge in a city, frequently forming part of a location name

例句

The nearest tube station is a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Circus.

最近的地鐵站步行五分鐘就能到倫敦的皮卡迪利圓環（Piccadilly Circus）。

proper noun in place name: Piccadilly Circus

Diego waited for his friend at the circus where five roads come together.

Diego 在五條路交匯的圓環處等他的朋友。

collocation: at the circus (as location)

同義詞
  • roundabout

    a smaller circular intersection, often with traffic lights or yield signs

  • traffic circle

    American English term for a circular intersection

文法句型

the + proper name + Circus

at the circus

用法筆記

Common in British place names such as Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus in London. As a common noun, it describes a circular road intersection similar to a roundabout but often larger and more open.

常見錯誤

❌Turn left at the circus.' (if the listener does not know which circus)
✅Turn left at Oxford Circus.
💡When referring to a named intersection, use the full proper noun.

4. a touring group of professional athletes and their support team who travel to di

4.名詞C1
釋義

巡迴賽隊

巡迴各地比賽的職業運動團隊

a touring group of professional athletes and their support team who travel to different cities to play matches

例句

The Australian cricket circus arrived in England for the summer test matches.

澳洲板球巡迴賽隊抵達英格蘭參加夏季測試賽。

UK sports usage: cricket circus

Ravi followed the tennis circus from one tournament city to the next.

Ravi 跟著網球巡迴賽隊，從一個比賽城市到另一個城市。

pattern: the [sport] circus

同義詞

文法句型

the + [sport] + circus

用法筆記

Primarily used in British sports journalism. Often preceded by the name of the sport (cricket circus, tennis circus). Conveys a sense of a large travelling operation rather than just a team.