- spectacles[plural] (formal)(also glasses)(also informal specs especially in British English)two lenses in a frame that rests on the nose and ears. People wear spectacles in order to be able to see better or to protect their eyes from bright light.
- a pair of spectacles
- a spectacle case (= to put your spectacles in)
Want to learn more?
Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app.
- [countable, uncountable] a performance or an event that is very impressive and exciting to look at
- The carnival parade was a magnificent spectacle.
Extra Examples- I attended solely to witness the sheer spectacle of a political rally.
- The Olympics are a wonderful visual spectacle.
- [countable] a sight or view that is very impressive to look at
- The sunset was a stunning spectacle.
- The wide plain, with thousands of wildebeest on the move, was an awesome spectacle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- dramatic
- grand
- great
- …
- watch
- witness
- enjoy
- …
- make a spectacle of yourself
- [singular] an unusual or surprising sight or situation that attracts a lot of attention
- I remember the sad spectacle of her standing in her wedding dress, covered in mud.
- the sad spectacle of him struggling to keep up with the younger players
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- dramatic
- grand
- great
- …
- watch
- witness
- enjoy
- …
- make a spectacle of yourself
Word OriginMiddle English: via Old French from Latin spectaculum ‘public show’, from spectare, frequentative of specere ‘to look’.
Idioms
See spectacle in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee spectacle in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishmake a spectacle of yourself
- to draw attention to yourself by behaving or dressing in a silly way in public
Check pronunciation:
spectacle