spectacle

UK: /ˈspɛktək^əl/ US: /ˈspɛktəkəl/ ,(spek′tə kəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

spec•ta•cle /ˈspɛktəkəl/   n. [countable]

1. anything presented to the view, esp. something striking or impressive:
   The man climbing up the side of the skyscraper was quite a spectacle.
2. a public show or display, esp. on a large scale:
   The emperor's coronation was an incredibly expensive spectacle.
3. spectacles, [plural] eyeglasses.

Idioms

4. Idioms make a spectacle of oneself, to behave badly or foolishly in public:
   He was so angry he made a spectacle of himself, pounding the tabletop and screaming.

See -spec-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

spec•ta•cle  (spek′tə kəl), n. 

1. anything presented to the sight or view, esp. something of a striking or impressive kind:
   The stars make a fine spectacle tonight.
2. a public show or display, esp. on a large scale:
   The coronation was a lavish spectacle.
3. spectacles. eyeglasses, esp. with pieces passing over or around the ears for holding them in place.
4. Often, spectacles. 
   • something resembling spectacles in shape or function.
   • any of various devices suggesting spectacles, as one attached to a semaphore to display lights or different colors by colored glass.
5. [Obs.] a spyglass.
6. make a spectacle of oneself, to call attention to one's unseemly behavior;
   behave foolishly or badly in public:
   They tell me I made a spectacle of myself at the party last night.

• Latin spectāculum a sight, spectacle, derivative of spectāre, frequentative of specere to look, regard. See -cle²
• Middle English 1300–50

spec′ta•cle•less, adj. 
spec′ta•cle•like′, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. marvel, wonder, sight, show.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spectacle / ˈspɛktək^əl/ noun

1. a public display or performance, esp a showy or ceremonial one
2. a thing or person seen, esp an unusual or ridiculous one: he makes a spectacle of himself
3. a strange or interesting object or phenomenon

Etymology: 14th Century: via Old French from Latin spectaculum a show, from spectāre to watch, from specere to look at