B2noun · countable / uncountable · rare

spectacle

spec·ta·cle

spectacle · spectacles

спектакль, видовище, видовисько

представление, спектакль, зрелище

Schauspiel, Spektakel

An exciting or extraordinary scene, exhibition, performance etcAn exciting or extraordinary scene, exhibition, performance etc.

ⓘ

/ˈspɛktəkl̩/

» Tom made a spectacle of himself.

Meaning

5 senses

(countable)An exciting or extraordinary scene, exhibition, performance etc.
The horse race was a thrilling spectacle.
Spektakel, Schauspiel
зре́лищеzrélišče, спекта́кльspektáklʹ, представле́ниеpredstavlénije
видо́вищеvydóvyšče, видо́виськоvydóvysʹko, спекта́кльspektáklʹ
(uncountable)Drama and excitement in a display, product, performance, exhibition, etc.
I enjoyed her presentation, but it needs more spectacle.
(countable)An embarrassing or unedifying scene or situation.
He made a spectacle out of himself.
(countable)The brille of a snake.
(countable)A frame with different coloured lenses on a semaphore signal through which light from a lamp shines at night, often a part of the signal arm.

More definitions

a blunder that makes you look ridiculous; used in the phrase ‘make a spectacle of’ yourself
an elaborate and remarkable display on a lavish scale
something or someone seen (especially a notable or unusual sight)

Examples

34 sentences

Tom made a spectacle of himself.
CC BY · Tatoeba · CK · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Who is that gentleman in spectacles?
Що це за пан в окулярах?
CC BY · Tatoeba · Zifre · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
How much did your spectacles cost?
Скільки коштували твої окуляри?
CC BY · Tatoeba · deniko · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
The royal wedding was a great spectacle.
Королівське весілля було прекрасним видовищем.
CC BY · Tatoeba · jakov · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem
Tom lost his spectacles.
Том загубив свої окуляри.
CC BY · Tatoeba · Eldad · B2Open on Tatoeba Report a problem

Translations

9 languages

Українська

By meaning 1

something exciting or extraordinary:

Русский

By meaning 1

something exciting or extraordinary:

Deutsch

By meaning 1

something exciting or extraordinary:

Origin

From Middle English spectacle, from Middle French spectacle, from Latin spectāculum (“a sh

From Middle English spectacle, from Middle French spectacle, from Latin spectāculum (“a show, spectacle”), from spectō (“to see, behold”), frequentative of speciō (“to see”). See species. Doublet of spectaculum.

Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source