spectacle

Word family

spec·ta·cle /ˈspektəkəl/ noun [countableC]

1 SHOW/LET somebody SEE somethinga very impressive show or scene 精彩的表演；壮观的场面[景象]

a multimedia dance and opera spectacle

盛大的多媒体舞蹈戏剧表演

2 [usually singular]SEE an unusual or interesting thing or situation that you see or notice – used especially in order to show disapproval 不同寻常的事[现象]〔尤含贬义〕

The trial was turned into a public spectacle.

审判变成了一场公开的闹剧。

spectacle of

the spectacle of drunken young men on the streets

街上年轻醉汉的丑态

► see thesaurus at sight

3. spectacles [plural] formal or old-fashionedMD glasses that help you see 眼镜

4. make a spectacle of yourself STUPID/NOT SENSIBLEto behave in an embarrassing way that is likely to make other people notice you and laugh at you 让自己出丑[出洋相]

Examples from the Corpus

make a spectacle of yourself• You and your so-called friends make spectacles of yourselves at the party, litter the garden with debris and vandalise this fountain.• Jody made a complete spectacle of herself by getting drunk at the wedding.• However, it was obvious that she was intent on making a spectacle of herself.• She did not rant or rave or otherwise make a spectacle of herself.• You're simply making a spectacle of yourself.• They didn't make a spectacle of themselves.

Examples from the Corpus

spectacle• She knew she was making a spectacle of herself with her childish outburst, but she couldn't seem to help herself.• Seeing Hank in a dress was quite a spectacle.• To attract crowds large enough to fill up the ornate space, big spectacles were de rigueur.• The sight of European tourists dancing in grass skirts made a bizarre spectacle.• Coming soon to a computer screen near you: full three-dimensional animation without the need for funny spectacles.• From our tent, we could see the grand spectacle of Mount Blue.• Ginsburg has seen the Super Bowl transformed from a football game in 1967 to a full-blown media spectacle today.• And these are just thoughts about the spectacles qua physical objects of a certain size and weight.• Visitors to London are often shocked by the spectacle of people begging in the streets.• He whines that I am ruining his weekend, but is rarely displeased with the spectacle I have paid dearly for.• The spectacle that confronted him was so overwhelming that he all but stumbled in alarm before the policeman caught and steadied him.

public spectacle• We long ago ceased to enjoy hanging as a public spectacle.• Second, television does not turn trials into a public event but into a public spectacle.• He had made a public spectacle of them both.• They were not, as Ionce thought, mere executions but genuine public spectacles.• Hangings were henceforth carried out behind prison walls; the public spectacle which executions had provided came to an end.

Origin spectacle

(1300-1400) Old French Latin spectaculum, from spectare; → SPECTATOR

spec·ta·cle noun

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus