ringmaster

C2 Topic:People & Society

Also spelled ring-master

US /ˈrɪŋˌmæstər/ UK /ˈrɪŋmɑːstə/ See IPA manual

Freq #42264

Meanings

1

noun
the person who directs and announces the acts in a circus ring

The ringmaster introduced the acrobats with a sweep of his arm.
2

noun
figurative: a person who organizes or controls a complicated, lively, or disorderly activity

She acted as ringmaster for the crowded public debate.
3

verb
to direct or control an event in the manner of a ringmaster

He ringmastered the sprawling awards ceremony with confidence.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the person who directs and... circus masterannouncer

2 noun · figurative: a person who... organizermaster of ceremonies

3 verb · to direct or control an... direct manage

Word family

Derived forms ringmastership

Related forms circus ringmaster of ceremonies

Appears in

Proverbs (1)

See all

Every circus needs a ringmaster

Etymology

A compound of ring + master. The ring is the circular performance area of a circus, and master denotes the person directing its acts. Figurative uses transfer that coordinating role to any complex or unruly event.

Topics

People & Society Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# ringmaster

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈrɪŋˌmæstər/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈrɪŋmɑːstə/
**Frequency rank:** 42264

## Meanings
1. the person who directs and announces the acts in a circus ring
2. figurative: a person who organizes or controls a complicated, lively, or disorderly activity
3. to direct or control an event in the manner of a ringmaster

## Examples
- The ringmaster introduced the acrobats with a sweep of his arm.
- She acted as ringmaster for the crowded public debate.
- He ringmastered the sprawling awards ceremony with confidence.

## Synonyms
- circus master
- announcer
- organizer
- master of ceremonies

## Derived Forms
- ringmastership

## Related Forms
- circus
- ring
- master of ceremonies

## Etymology
A compound of ring + master. The ring is the circular performance area of a circus, and master denotes the person directing its acts. Figurative uses transfer that coordinating role to any complex or unruly event.

## Topics
- People & Society
- Word Formation & Derivatives

markdown