child neglect: failure of caretakers to provide adequate emotional and physical care for a child


persecution: the act of persecuting (especially on the basis of race or religion)


repression: the act of repressing; control by holding down


impalement: the act of piercing with a sharpened stake as a form of punishment or torture


oppression: the act of subjugating by cruelty


subjugation: the act of subjugating by cruelty


pogrom: organized persecution of an ethnic group (especially Jews)


rendition: handing over prisoners to countries where torture is allowed


torture: the deliberate, systematic, or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons in an attempt to force another person to yield information or to make a confession or for any other reason


torturing: the deliberate, systematic, or wanton infliction of physical or mental suffering by one or more persons in an attempt to force another person to yield information or to make a confession or for any other reason


bastinado: a form of torture in which the soles of the feet are beaten with whips or cudgels


falanga: a form of torture in which the soles of the feet are beaten with whips or cudgels


boot: a form of foot torture in which the feet are encased in iron and slowly crushed


burning: a form of torture in which cigarettes or cigars or other hot implements are used to burn the victim's skin


crucifixion: the infliction of extremely painful punishment or suffering


excruciation: the infliction of extremely painful punishment or suffering


genital torture: blunt or penetrating trauma or rape (vaginal or anal)


judicial torture: torture that is sanctioned by the state and executed by duly accredited officials


kia quen: a form of foot torture used by the Chinese in which the victim's foot was placed between three pieces of bamboo and systematically squeezed


kittee: a form of torture used by American Indians in which sensitive parts of the body were squeezed between two boards until the victim could bear no more


nail pulling: a form of torture in which the fingernails or toenails are removed


nail removal: a form of torture in which the fingernails or toenails are removed


picket: a form of military punishment used by the British in the late 17th century in which a soldier was forced to stand on one foot on a pointed stake


piquet: a form of military punishment used by the British in the late 17th century in which a soldier was forced to stand on one foot on a pointed stake


prolonged interrogation: a form of psychological torture inflicted by questioning the victim for hours


rack: a form of torture in which pain is inflicted by stretching the body


sensory deprivation: a form of psychological torture inflicted by depriving the victim of all sensory input


sleep deprivation: a form of psychological torture inflicted by depriving the victim of sleep


strappado: a form of torture in which the hands are tied behind a person's back and they are lifted off the ground by a rope tied to their wrists, then allowed to drop until their fall is checked with a jerk by the rope


strapado: a form of torture in which the hands are tied behind a person's back and they are lifted off the ground by a rope tied to their wrists, then allowed to drop until their fall is checked with a jerk by the rope


cruelty: a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering


inhuman treatment: a cruel act; a deliberate infliction of pain and suffering


atrocity: an act of atrocious cruelty


inhumanity: an act of atrocious cruelty


brutality: a brutal barbarous savage act


barbarity: a brutal barbarous savage act


barbarism: a brutal barbarous savage act


savagery: a brutal barbarous savage act


outrage: a wantonly cruel act


baiting: harassment especially of a tethered animal


badgering: the act of harassing someone


worrying: the act of harassing someone


torment: the act of harassing someone


bedevilment: the act of harassing someone


exasperation: actions that cause great irritation (or even anger)


red flag: something that irritates or demands immediate action


sexual harassment: unwelcome sexual behavior by a supervisor toward an employee


tease: the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances


teasing: the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances


ribbing: the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances


tantalization: the act of harassing someone playfully or maliciously (especially by ridicule); provoking someone with persistent annoyances


witch-hunt: searching out and harassing dissenters


McCarthyism: unscrupulously accusing people of disloyalty (as by saying they were Communists)


colonialism: exploitation by a stronger country of weaker one; the use of the weaker country's resources to strengthen and enrich the stronger country


neocolonialism: control by a powerful country of its former colonies (or other less developed countries) by economic pressures


diversion: an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates


recreation: an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates


antic: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement


joke: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement


prank: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement


trick: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement


caper: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement


put-on: a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement


bathing: immersing the body in water or sunshine


celebration: any joyous diversion


festivity: any joyous diversion


dancing: taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music


dance: taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music


terpsichore: taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music


saltation: taking a series of rhythmical steps (and movements) in time to music


entertainment: an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention


amusement: an activity that is diverting and that holds the attention


escapade: any carefree episode


lark: any carefree episode


escape: an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy


escapism: an inclination to retreat from unpleasant realities through diversion or fantasy


eurythmy: the interpretation in harmonious bodily movements of the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding


eurhythmy: the interpretation in harmonious bodily movements of the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding


eurythmics: the interpretation in harmonious bodily movements of the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding


eurhythmics: the interpretation in harmonious bodily movements of the rhythm of musical compositions; used to teach musical understanding


fun: activities that are enjoyable or amusing


merriment: activities that are enjoyable or amusing


playfulness: activities that are enjoyable or amusing


gambling: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)


gaming: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)


play: the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize)


game: an amusement or pastime


jest: activity characterized by good humor


joke: activity characterized by good humor


jocularity: activity characterized by good humor


nightlife: the activity of people seeking nighttime diversion (as at the theater, a nightclub, etc.)


night life: the activity of people seeking nighttime diversion (as at the theater, a nightclub, etc.)


pastime: a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)


interest: a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)


pursuit: a diversion that occupies one's time and thoughts (usually pleasantly)


play: activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules


child's play: activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules


house: play in which children take the roles of father or mother or children and pretend to interact like adults


doctor: children take the roles of physician or patient or nurse and pretend they are at the physician's office


fireman: play in which children pretend to put out a fire


avocation: an auxiliary activity


by-line: an auxiliary activity


hobby: an auxiliary activity


pursuit: an auxiliary activity


sideline: an auxiliary activity


spare-time activity: an auxiliary activity


cup of tea: an activity that you like or at which you are superior


bag: an activity that you like or at which you are superior


dish: an activity that you like or at which you are superior


confectionery: the occupation and skills of a confectioner


sport: the occupation of athletes who compete for pay


contact sport: a sport that necessarily involves body contact between opposing players


outdoor sport: a sport that is played outdoors


field sport: a sport that is played outdoors


gymnastics: a sport that involves exercises intended to display strength and balance and agility


gymnastic exercise: a sport that involves exercises intended to display strength and balance and agility


acrobatics: the gymnastic moves of an acrobat


tumbling: the gymnastic moves of an acrobat


backbend: an acrobatic feat in which the trunk is bent backward from a standing position until the hands touch the floor


back circle: a feat in which an acrobat arches the back from a prone position and bends the knees until the toes touch the head


walkover: backbends combined with handstands


cartwheel: acrobatic revolutions with the body turned sideways and the arms and legs outstretched like the spokes of a wheel


crucifix: a gymnastic exercise performed on the rings when the gymnast supports himself with both arms extended horizontally


dip: a gymnastic exercise on the parallel bars in which the body is lowered and raised by bending and straightening the arms


double leg circle: a gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast (with legs together) swings his legs in a circle while alternating hands on the pommels


grand circle: a gymnastic exercise performed on the horizontal bar by swinging around it with the body fully extended


cardiopulmonary exercise: exercise intended to strengthen the circulatory system


gymnastic exercise: (gymnastics) an exercise designed to develop and display strength and agility and balance (usually performed with or on some gymnastic apparatus)


handstand: the act of supporting yourself by your hands alone in an upside down position


hang: a gymnastic exercise performed on the rings or horizontal bar or parallel bars when the gymnast's weight is supported by the arms


bent hang: a hang performed with the elbows bent


inverted hang: a hang performed on the rings with the body upside down


lever hang: a hang performed on the rings with the body stationary in a horizontal position


reverse hang: a hang with the arms extended in back


straight hang: a hang performed on the rings or parallel bars with the body erect and the arms at the sides


piked reverse hang: a reverse hang performed on the rings


kick up: raising the feet backward with the hands on the ground; a first movement in doing a handstand


handspring: an acrobatic feat in which a person goes from a standing position to a handstand and back again


headstand: an acrobatic feat in which a person balances on the head (usually with the help of the hands)


tumble: an acrobatic feat of rolling or turning end over end


split: extending the legs at right angles to the trunk (one in front and the other in back)


acrobatic stunt: a stunt performed by an acrobat


acrobatic feat: a stunt performed by an acrobat


kip: a gymnastic exercise performed starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect position by arching the back and swinging the legs out and down while forcing the chest upright


upstart: a gymnastic exercise performed starting from a position with the legs over the upper body and moving to an erect position by arching the back and swinging the legs out and down while forcing the chest upright


long fly: a gymnastic exercise involving a long leap from a vaulting horse


scissors: a gymnastic exercise performed on the pommel horse when the gymnast moves his legs as the blades of scissors move


straddle: a gymnastic exercise performed with a leg on either side of the parallel bars


split: an increase in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity


stock split: an increase in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity


split up: an increase in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity


reverse split: a decrease in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity


reverse stock split: a decrease in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity


split down: a decrease in the number of outstanding shares of a corporation without changing the shareholders' equity


somersault: an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return


somerset: an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return


summersault: an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return


summerset: an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return


somersaulting: an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return


flip: an acrobatic feat in which the feet roll over the head (either forward or backward) and return


flip-flop: a backward somersault


track and field: participating in athletic sports performed on a running track or on the field associated with it


track: the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track


running: the act of participating in an athletic competition involving running on a track


jumping: the act of participating in an athletic competition in which you must jump


broad jump: the act of jumping as far as possible from a running start


long jump: the act of jumping as far as possible from a running start


high jump: the act of jumping as high as possible over a horizontal bar


Fosbury flop: jumping over the bar backwards and head first


skiing: a sport in which participants must travel on skis


cross-country skiing: the sport of skiing across the countryside (rather than downhill)


ski jumping: the act of performing a jump on skis from a high ramp overhanging a snow covered slope


kick turn: a standing turn made in skiing; one ski is raised to the vertical and pivoted backward to become parallel with the other ski but headed in the opposite direction and then the other ski is aligned with the first


stem turn: a turn made in skiing; the back of one ski is forced outward and the other ski is brought parallel to it


stem: a turn made in skiing; the back of one ski is forced outward and the other ski is brought parallel to it


telemark: a turn made in skiing; the outside ski is placed ahead and turned gradually inwards


water sport: sports that involve bodies of water


aquatics: sports that involve bodies of water


swimming: the act of swimming; :


swim: the act of swimming; :


bathe: the act of swimming


sea bathing: bathing in the sea or ocean


skinny-dip: a naked swim


sun bathing: immersing the body in sunlight


dip: a brief swim in water


plunge: a brief swim in water


dive: a headlong plunge into water


diving: a headlong plunge into water


floating: the act of someone who floats on the water


natation: the act of someone who floats on the water


dead-man's float: a floating position with the face down and arms stretched forward


prone float: a floating position with the face down and arms stretched forward


belly flop: a dive in which the abdomen bears the main force of impact with the water


belly flopper: a dive in which the abdomen bears the main force of impact with the water


belly whop: a dive in which the abdomen bears the main force of impact with the water


belly whopper: a dive in which the abdomen bears the main force of impact with the water


cliff diving: diving into the water from a steep overhanging cliff


flip: a dive in which the diver somersaults before entering the water


gainer: a dive in which the diver throws the feet forward to complete a full backward somersault and enters the water feet first and facing away from the diving board


full gainer: a dive in which the diver throws the feet forward to complete a full backward somersault and enters the water feet first and facing away from the diving board


half gainer: a dive in which the diver throws the feet forward and up to complete a half backward somersault and enters the water facing the diving board


jackknife: a dive in which the diver bends to touch the ankles before straightening out


swan dive: a dive in which the diver arches the back with arms outstretched before entering the water


swallow dive: a dive in which the diver arches the back with arms outstretched before entering the water


skin diving: underwater swimming without any more breathing equipment than a snorkel


skin-dive: underwater swimming without any more breathing equipment than a snorkel


scuba diving: skin diving with scuba apparatus


snorkeling: skin diving with a snorkel


snorkel diving: skin diving with a snorkel


surfing: the sport of riding a surfboard toward the shore on the crest of a wave


surfboarding: the sport of riding a surfboard toward the shore on the crest of a wave


surfriding: the sport of riding a surfboard toward the shore on the crest of a wave


water-skiing: skiing on water while being towed by a motorboat


rowing: the act of rowing as a sport


row: the act of rowing as a sport


crab: a stroke of the oar that either misses the water or digs too deeply


sculling: rowing by a single oarsman in a racing shell


boxing: fighting with the fists


pugilism: fighting with the fists


fisticuffs: fighting with the fists


professional boxing: boxing for money


in-fighting: boxing at close quarters


fight: a boxing or wrestling match


rope-a-dope: a boxing tactic: pretending to be trapped against the ropes while your opponent wears himself out throwing punches


spar: making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer


sparring: making the motions of attack and defense with the fists and arms; a part of training for a boxer


archery: the sport of shooting arrows with a bow


sledding: the sport of riding on a sled or sleigh


tobogganing: riding on a long light sled with low handrails


luging: riding a light one-man toboggan


bobsledding: riding on a bobsled


wrestling: the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down


rassling: the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down


grappling: the sport of hand-to-hand struggle between unarmed contestants who try to throw each other down


flying mare: a wrestling maneuver


Greco-Roman wrestling: a style of wrestling where the wrestlers are forbidden to tackle or trip or use holds below the waist


professional wrestling: wrestling for money


sumo: a Japanese form of wrestling; you lose if you are forced out of a small ring or if any part of your body (other than your feet) touches the ground


skating: the sport of gliding on skates


ice skating: skating on ice


figure skating: ice skating where the skates trace outlines of selected figures


rollerblading: skating using Rollerblades


roller skating: skating on wheels


skateboarding: the sport of skating on a skateboard


speed skating: competitive skating on speed skates (usually around an oval course)


racing: the sport of engaging in contests of speed


auto racing: the sport of racing automobiles


car racing: the sport of racing automobiles


boat racing: the sport of racing boats


hydroplane racing: racing in high-speed motor boats


camel racing: the sport of racing camels


greyhound racing: the sport of racing greyhounds


horse racing: the sport of racing horses


thoroughbred racing: the sport of racing thoroughbred horses


riding: the sport of siting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements


horseback riding: the sport of siting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements


equitation: the sport of siting on the back of a horse while controlling its movements


equestrian sport: a sport that tests horsemanship


pony-trekking: a sport in which people ride across country on ponies


showjumping: riding horses in competitions over set courses to demonstrate skill in jumping over obstacles


stadium jumping: riding horses in competitions over set courses to demonstrate skill in jumping over obstacles


cross-country riding: riding horses across country over obstructions to demonstrate horsemanship


cross-country jumping: riding horses across country over obstructions to demonstrate horsemanship


cycling: the sport of traveling on a bicycle or motorcycle


bicycling: riding a bicycle


motorcycling: riding a motorcycle


dune cycling: bicycling or motorcycling on sand dunes


blood sport: sport that involves killing animals (especially hunting)


bullfighting: the activity at a bullfight


tauromachy: the activity at a bullfight


cockfighting: participation in the sport of matching gamecocks in a cockfight


hunt: the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport


hunting: the pursuit and killing or capture of wild animals regarded as a sport


battue: a hunt in which beaters force the game to flee in the direction of the hunter


beagling: hunting rabbits with beagles


canned hunt: a hunt for animals that have been raised on game ranches until they are mature enough to be killed for trophy collections


coursing: hunting with dogs (usually greyhounds) that are trained to chase game (such as hares) by sight instead of by scent


deer hunting: hunting deer


deer hunt: hunting deer


ducking: hunting ducks


duck hunting: hunting ducks


fox hunting: mounted hunters follow hounds in pursuit of a fox


foxhunt: mounted hunters follow hounds in pursuit of a fox


pigsticking: the sport of hunting wild boar with spears


farming: agriculture considered as an occupation or way of life


land: agriculture considered as an occupation or way of life


fishing: the act of someone who fishes as a diversion


sportfishing: the act of someone who fishes as a diversion


fishing: the occupation of catching fish for a living


angling: fishing with a hook and line (and usually a pole)


fly-fishing: angling with an artificial fly as a lure


troll: angling by drawing a baited line through the water


trolling: angling by drawing a baited line through the water


casting: the act of throwing a fishing line out over the water by means of a rod and reel


cast: the act of throwing a fishing line out over the water by means of a rod and reel


bait casting: the single-handed rod casting of a relatively heavy (artificial) bait


fly casting: casting an artificial fly as a lure


overcast: a cast that falls beyond the intended spot


surf casting: casting (artificial) bait far out into the ocean (up to 200 yards) with the waves breaking around you


surf fishing: casting (artificial) bait far out into the ocean (up to 200 yards) with the waves breaking around you


follow-up: an activity that continues something that has already begun or that repeats something that has already been done


followup: an activity that continues something that has already begun or that repeats something that has already been done


game: a contest with rules to determine a winner


game: a single play of a sport or other contest


day game: a game played in daylight


night game: a game played under artificial illumination at night


away game: a game played away from home


road game: a game played away from home


home game: a game played at home


exhibition game: a game whose outcome is not recorded in the season's standing


practice game: a game whose outcome is not recorded in the season's standing


follow-on: an immediate second innings forced on a cricket team scoring a prescribed number of runs fewer than its opponents in the first innings


innings: the batting turn of a cricket player or team


turn: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession


play: (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession


attack: an offensive move in a sport or game


opening: a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess


chess opening: a recognized sequence of moves at the beginning of a game of chess


counterattack: (chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board


counterplay: (chess) an attack that is intended to counter the opponent's advantage in another part of the board


down: (American football) a complete play to advance the football


bat: (baseball) a turn trying to get a hit


at-bat: (baseball) a turn trying to get a hit


catch: a cooperative game in which a ball is passed back and forth


party game: a game to amuse guests at a party


computer game: a game played against a computer


video game: a game played against a computer


virtual reality: a hypothetical three-dimensional visual world created by a computer; user wears special goggles and fiber optic gloves etc., and can enter and move about in this world and interact with objects as if inside it


pinball: a game played on a sloping board; the object is to propel marbles against pins or into pockets


pinball game: a game played on a sloping board; the object is to propel marbles against pins or into pockets


pachinko: a Japanese pinball game played on a vertical board


guessing game: a game in which participants compete to identify some obscurely indicated thing


charades: player acts out a phrase for others to guess


ducks and drakes: a game in which a flat stone is bounced along the surface of calm water


mind game: any game designed to exercise the intellect


paper chase: an outdoor game; one group of players (the hares) start off on a long run scattering bits of paper (the scent) and pursuers (the hounds) try to catch them before they reach a designated spot


hare and hounds: an outdoor game; one group of players (the hares) start off on a long run scattering bits of paper (the scent) and pursuers (the hounds) try to catch them before they reach a designated spot


ring-around-the-rosy: a children's game in which the players dance around in a circle and at a given signal all squat


ring-around-a-rosy: a children's game in which the players dance around in a circle and at a given signal all squat


ring-a-rosy: a children's game in which the players dance around in a circle and at a given signal all squat


prisoner's base: a children's game; two teams capture opposing players by tagging them and taking them to their own base


treasure hunt: a game in which players try to find hidden articles by using a series of clues


nightcap: the final game of a double header


twin bill: two games instead of one (especially in baseball when the same two teams play two games on the same day)


doubleheader: two games instead of one (especially in baseball when the same two teams play two games on the same day)


double feature: two games instead of one (especially in baseball when the same two teams play two games on the same day)


playoff game: one game in the series of games constituting a playoff


cup tie: an eliminating game between teams in a cup competition


war game: a simulation of a military operation intended to train military commanders or to demonstrate a situation or to test a proposed strategy


curling: a game played on ice in which heavy stones with handles are slid toward a target


bowling: a game in which balls are rolled at an object or group of objects with the aim of knocking them over or moving them


frame: one of the ten divisions into which bowling is divided


tenpins: bowling down an alley at a target of ten wooden pins


tenpin bowling: bowling down an alley at a target of ten wooden pins


ninepins: a bowling game that is played by rolling a bowling ball down a bowling alley at a target of nine wooden pins


skittles: a bowling game that is played by rolling a bowling ball down a bowling alley at a target of nine wooden pins


duckpins: a bowling game using a pin smaller than a tenpin but proportionately wider


candlepins: a bowling game using slender bowling pins


candlepin bowling: a bowling game using slender bowling pins


lawn bowling: a bowling game played on a level lawn with biased wooden balls that are rolled at a jack


bowls: a bowling game played on a level lawn with biased wooden balls that are rolled at a jack


bocce: Italian bowling played on a long narrow dirt court


bocci: Italian bowling played on a long narrow dirt court


boccie: Italian bowling played on a long narrow dirt court


pall-mall: a 17th century game; a wooden ball was driven along an alley with a mallet


athletic game: a game involving athletic activity


ice hockey: a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks


hockey: a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks


hockey game: a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks


goalkeeper: the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring


goalie: the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring


goaltender: the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring


netkeeper: the defensive position on an ice hockey or soccer or lacrosse team who stands in front of the goal and tries to prevent opposing players from scoring


tetherball: a game with two players who use rackets to strike a ball that is tethered to the top of a pole; the object is to wrap the string around the pole


water polo: a game played in a swimming pool by two teams of swimmers who try to throw an inflated ball into the opponents' goal


outdoor game: an athletic game that is played outdoors


golf: a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes


golf game: a game played on a large open course with 9 or 18 holes; the object is use as few strokes as possible in playing all the holes


professional golf: playing golf for money


round of golf: the activity of playing 18 holes of golf


round: the activity of playing 18 holes of golf


medal play: golf scoring by total strokes taken


stroke play: golf scoring by total strokes taken


match play: golf scoring by holes won


miniature golf: a novelty version of golf played with golf balls and putters on a miniature course featuring many obstacles


croquet: a game in which players hit a wooden ball through a series of hoops; the winner is the first to traverse all the hoops and hit a peg


paintball: a game that simulates military combat; players on one team try to eliminate players on the opposing team by shooting capsules of paint at them


quoits: a game in which iron rings (or open iron rings) are thrown at a stake in the ground in the hope of encircling it


horseshoes: a game in which iron rings (or open iron rings) are thrown at a stake in the ground in the hope of encircling it


shuffleboard: a game in which players use long sticks to shove wooden disks onto the scoring area marked on a smooth surface


shovelboard: a game in which players use long sticks to shove wooden disks onto the scoring area marked on a smooth surface


field game: an outdoor game played on a field of specified dimensions


field hockey: a game resembling ice hockey that is played on an open field; two opposing teams use curved sticks try to drive a ball into the opponents' net


hockey: a game resembling ice hockey that is played on an open field; two opposing teams use curved sticks try to drive a ball into the opponents' net


shinny: a simple version of hockey played by children on the streets (or on ice or on a field) using a ball or can as the puck


shinney: a simple version of hockey played by children on the streets (or on ice or on a field) using a ball or can as the puck


football: any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal


football game: any of various games played with a ball (round or oval) in which two teams try to kick or carry or propel the ball into each other's goal


American football: a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays


American football game: a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays


professional football: football played for pay


touch football: a version of American football in which the ball carrier is touched rather than tackled


hurling: a traditional Irish game resembling hockey; played by two teams of 15 players each


rugby: a form of football played with an oval ball


rugby football: a form of football played with an oval ball


rugger: a form of football played with an oval ball


knock on: (rugby) knocking the ball forward while trying to catch it (a foul)


ball game: a field game played with a ball (especially baseball)


ballgame: a field game played with a ball (especially baseball)


baseball: a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs


baseball game: a ball game played with a bat and ball between two teams of nine players; teams take turns at bat trying to score runs


ball: the game of baseball


professional baseball: playing baseball for money


hardball: baseball as distinguished from softball


perfect game: a game in which a pitcher does not allow any opposing player to reach base


no-hit game: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team no hits


no-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team no hits


one-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only one hit


1-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only one hit


two-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 2 hits


2-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 2 hits


three-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 3 hits


3-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team only 3 hits


four-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 4 hits


4-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 4 hits


five-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 5 hits


5-hitter: a game in which a pitcher allows the opposing team 5 hits


softball: a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer


softball game: a game closely resembling baseball that is played on a smaller diamond and with a ball that is larger and softer


rounders: an English ball game similar to baseball


stickball: a form of baseball played in the streets with a rubber ball and broomstick handle


stickball game: a form of baseball played in the streets with a rubber ball and broomstick handle


cricket: a game played with a ball and bat by two teams of 11 players; teams take turns trying to score runs


run-up: the approach run during which an athlete gathers speed


Chinaman: a ball bowled by a left-handed bowler to a right-handed batsman that spins from off to leg


googly: a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way


wrong 'un: a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way


bosie: a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way


bosie ball: a cricket ball bowled as if to break one way that actually breaks in the opposite way


no ball: unlawfully delivered ball in cricket


lacrosse: a game invented by American Indians; now played by two teams who use long-handled rackets to catch and carry and throw the ball toward the opponents' goal


polo: a game similar to field hockey but played on horseback using long-handled mallets and a wooden ball


pushball: a game using a leather ball six feet in diameter; the two side try to push it across the opponents' goal


ultimate frisbee: a game between two teams whose players try to toss a Frisbee to one another until they cross the opponents goal; possession changes hands when the Frisbee is intercepted or touches the ground or goes out of bounds


soccer: a football game in which two teams of 11 players try to kick or head a ball into the opponents' goal


association football: a football game in which two teams of 11 players try to kick or head a ball into the opponents' goal


dribble: the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks


dribbling: the propulsion of a ball by repeated taps or kicks


double dribble: an illegal dribble in basketball (the player uses both hands to dribble or the player starts to dribble a second time after coming to a stop)


court game: an athletic game played on a court


handball: a game played in a walled court or against a single wall by two or four players who strike a rubber ball with their hands


racquetball: a game played on a handball court with short-handled rackets


fives: a game resembling handball; played on a court with a front wall and two side walls


squash: a game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets


squash racquets: a game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets


squash rackets: a game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets


volleyball: a game in which two teams hit an inflated ball over a high net using their hands


volleyball game: a game in which two teams hit an inflated ball over a high net using their hands


jai alai: a Basque or Spanish game played in a court with a ball and a wickerwork racket


pelota: a Basque or Spanish game played in a court with a ball and a wickerwork racket


badminton: a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net


battledore: an ancient racket game


battledore and shuttlecock: an ancient racket game


basketball: a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop


basketball game: a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop


hoops: a game played on a court by two opposing teams of 5 players; points are scored by throwing the ball through an elevated horizontal hoop


tip-off: the act of starting a basketball game with a jump ball


tap-off: the act of starting a basketball game with a jump ball


professional basketball: playing basketball for money


deck tennis: game played mainly on board ocean liners; players toss a ring back and forth over a net that is stretched across a small court


netball: a team game that resembles basketball; a soccer ball is to be thrown so that it passes through a ring on the top of a post


tennis: a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court


lawn tennis: a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court


break: (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving


break of serve: (tennis) a score consisting of winning a game when your opponent was serving


equalizer: a score that makes the match even


professional tennis: playing tennis for money


singles: tennis played with one person on each side


singles: badminton played with one person on each side


doubles: tennis played with two players on each side


doubles: badminton played with two players on each side


royal tennis: an ancient form of tennis played in a four-walled court


real tennis: an ancient form of tennis played in a four-walled court


court tennis: an ancient form of tennis played in a four-walled court


pallone: an Italian game similar to tennis


child's game: a game enjoyed by children


blindman's bluff: a children's game in which a blindfolded player tries to catch and identify other players


blindman's buff: a children's game in which a blindfolded player tries to catch and identify other players


cat and mouse: a game for children in which the players form a circle and join hands; they raise their hands to let a player inside the circle or lower their hands to bar a second player who is chasing the first


cat and rat: a game for children in which the players form a circle and join hands; they raise their hands to let a player inside the circle or lower their hands to bar a second player who is chasing the first


cat's cradle: a game played with string looped over the fingers


hide-and-seek: a game in which a child covers his eyes while the other players hide then tries to find them


hide and go seek: a game in which a child covers his eyes while the other players hide then tries to find them


hopscotch: a game in which a child tosses a stone into an area drawn on the ground and then hops through it and back to regain the stone


jacks: a game in which jackstones are thrown and picked up in various groups between bounces of a small rubber ball


jackstones: a game in which jackstones are thrown and picked up in various groups between bounces of a small rubber ball


knucklebones: a game in which jackstones are thrown and picked up in various groups between bounces of a small rubber ball


jackstraws: a game in which players try to pick each jackstraw (or spillikin) off of a pile without moving any of the others


spillikins: a game in which players try to pick each jackstraw (or spillikin) off of a pile without moving any of the others


jump rope: a child's game or a cardiopulmonary exercise in which the player jumps over a swinging rope


double Dutch: the difficult version of jump rope in which players jump over two ropes that are swung in a crisscross manner by two turners


leapfrog: a game in which one child bends down and another leaps over


leapfrog: advancing as if in the child's game, by leaping over obstacles or competitors


marbles: a children's game played with little balls made of a hard substance (as glass)


mumblety-peg: a game in which players throw or flip a jackknife in various ways so that the knife sticks in the ground


mumble-the-peg: a game in which players throw or flip a jackknife in various ways so that the knife sticks in the ground


musical chairs: a child's game in which players march to music around a group of chairs that contains one chair less than the number of players; when the music abruptly stops the players scramble to sit and the player who does not find a chair is eliminated; then a chair is removed and the march resumes until only the winner is seated


going to Jerusalem: a child's game in which players march to music around a group of chairs that contains one chair less than the number of players; when the music abruptly stops the players scramble to sit and the player who does not find a chair is eliminated; then a chair is removed and the march resumes until only the winner is seated


peekaboo: a game played with young children; you hide your face and suddenly reveal it as you say boo!


bopeep: a game played with young children; you hide your face and suddenly reveal it as you say boo!


pillow fight: a child's game of fighting with pillows


post office: a children's game in which kisses are exchanged for pretended letters


spin the bottle: a game in which a player spins a bottle and kisses the person that it points to when it stops spinning


spin the plate: a game in which something round (as a plate) is spun on edge and the name of a player is called; the named player must catch the spinning object before it falls or pay a forfeit


spin the platter: a game in which something round (as a plate) is spun on edge and the name of a player is called; the named player must catch the spinning object before it falls or pay a forfeit


tag: a game in which one child chases the others; the one who is caught becomes the next chaser


tiddlywinks: a game in which players try to flip plastic disks into a cup by pressing them on the side sharply with a larger disk


card game: a game played with playing cards


cards: a game played with playing cards


cut: the division of a deck of cards before dealing


cutting: the division of a deck of cards before dealing


all fours: card games in which points are won for taking the high or low or jack or game


high-low-jack: card games in which points are won for taking the high or low or jack or game


baccarat: a card game played in casinos in which two or more punters gamble against the banker; the player wins who holds 2 or 3 cards that total closest to nine


chemin de fer: a card game played in casinos in which two or more punters gamble against the banker; the player wins who holds 2 or 3 cards that total closest to nine


beggar-my-neighbor: a card game for two players in which the object is to win all of the other player's cards


beggar-my-neighbour: a card game for two players in which the object is to win all of the other player's cards


strip-Jack-naked: a card game for two players in which the object is to win all of the other player's cards


blackjack: a gambling game using cards; the object is to hold cards having a higher count than those dealt to the banker up to but not exceeding 21


twenty-one: a gambling game using cards; the object is to hold cards having a higher count than those dealt to the banker up to but not exceeding 21


vingt-et-un: a gambling game using cards; the object is to hold cards having a higher count than those dealt to the banker up to but not exceeding 21


bridge: any of various card games based on whist for four players


bridge whist: the earliest form of bridge; the dealer could name the trump suit


auction: a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge


auction bridge: a variety of bridge in which tricks made in excess of the contract are scored toward game; now generally superseded by contract bridge


contract: a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid


contract bridge: a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid


no-trump: a version of contract bridge in which no suit is designated as trump for the duration of the hand


casino: a card game in which cards face up on the table are taken with eligible cards in the hand


cassino: a card game in which cards face up on the table are taken with eligible cards in the hand


cribbage: a card game (usually for two players) in which each player is dealt six cards and discards one or two


crib: a card game (usually for two players) in which each player is dealt six cards and discards one or two


crib: the cards discarded by players at cribbage


ecarte: a card game for 2 players; played with 32 cards and king high


euchre: a card game similar to ecarte; each player is dealt 5 cards and the player making trump must take 3 tricks to win a hand


five hundred: a card game similar to ecarte; each player is dealt 5 cards and the player making trump must take 3 tricks to win a hand


fantan: a card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as the sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards


sevens: a card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as the sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards


parliament: a card game in which you play your sevens and other cards in sequence in the same suit as the sevens; you win if you are the first to use all your cards


faro: a card game in which players bet against the dealer on the cards he will draw from a dealing box


Go Fish: a card game for two players who try to assemble books of cards by asking the opponent for particular cards


monte: a gambling card game of Spanish origin; 3 or 4 cards are dealt face up and players bet that one of them will be matched before the others as the cards are dealt from the pack one at a time


four-card monte: a gambling card game of Spanish origin; 3 or 4 cards are dealt face up and players bet that one of them will be matched before the others as the cards are dealt from the pack one at a time


three-card monte: a gambling card game of Spanish origin; 3 or 4 cards are dealt face up and players bet that one of them will be matched before the others as the cards are dealt from the pack one at a time


Michigan: a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card


Chicago: a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card


Newmarket: a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card


boodle: a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card


stops: a gambling card game in which chips are placed on the ace and king and queen and jack of separate suits (taken from a separate deck); a player plays the lowest card of a suit in his hand and successively higher cards are played until the sequence stops; the player who plays a card matching one in the layout wins all the chips on that card


Napoleon: a card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes


nap: a card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes


old maid: a card game using a pack of cards from which one queen has been removed; players match cards and the player holding the unmatched queen at the end of the game is the loser (or `old maid')


pinochle: a card game played with a pack of forty-eight cards (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist


pinocle: a card game played with a pack of forty-eight cards (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist


penuchle: a card game played with a pack of forty-eight cards (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist


bezique: a card game played with a pack of forty-eight cards (two of each suit for high cards); play resembles whist


piquet: a card game for two players using a reduced pack of 32 cards


pisha paysha: (Yiddish) a card game for two players one of whom is usually a child; the deck is place face down with one card face upward; players draw from the deck alternately hoping to build up or down from the open card; the player with the fewest cards when the deck is exhausted is the winner


poker: any of various card games in which players bet that they hold the highest-ranking hand


poker game: any of various card games in which players bet that they hold the highest-ranking hand


rouge et noir: a card game in which two rows of cards are dealt and players can bet on the color of the cards or on which row will have a count nearer some number


trente-et-quarante: a card game in which two rows of cards are dealt and players can bet on the color of the cards or on which row will have a count nearer some number


rummy: a card game based on collecting sets and sequences; the winner is the first to meld all their cards


rum: a card game based on collecting sets and sequences; the winner is the first to meld all their cards


solitaire: a card game played by one person


patience: a card game played by one person


canfield: a form of solitaire that involves gambling


klondike: a form of solitaire that begins with seven piles of cards with the top cards facing up; descending sequences of cards of alternating colors are built on these piles; as aces become available they are placed above the seven piles; the object is to build sequences in suit from ace to king as the remaining cards are dealt out one at a time


whist: a card game for four players who form two partnerships; a pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point for each trick it takes in excess of six


long whist: a card game for four players who form two partnerships; a pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point for each trick it takes in excess of six


short whist: a card game for four players who form two partnerships; a pack of 52 cards is dealt and each side scores one point for each trick it takes in excess of six


dummy whist: a form of whist with three players; four hands are dealt with the hand opposite the dealer being face up


hearts: a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades


Black Maria: a form of whist in which players avoid winning tricks containing hearts or the queen of spades


Russian bank: solitaire with two players using separate packs


crapette: solitaire with two players using separate packs


gin: a form of rummy in which a player can go out if the cards remaining in their hand total less than 10 points


gin rummy: a form of rummy in which a player can go out if the cards remaining in their hand total less than 10 points


knock rummy: a form of rummy in which a player can go out if the cards remaining in their hand total less than 10 points


canasta: a form of rummy using two decks of cards and four jokers; jokers and deuces are wild; the object is to form groups of the same rank


basket rummy: a form of rummy using two decks of cards and four jokers; jokers and deuces are wild; the object is to form groups of the same rank


meld: a form of rummy using two decks of cards and four jokers; jokers and deuces are wild; the object is to form groups of the same rank


bolivia: a form of canasta in which sequences can be melded


samba: a form of canasta using three decks of cards and six jokers


draw: poker in which a player can discard cards and receive substitutes from the dealer


draw poker: poker in which a player can discard cards and receive substitutes from the dealer


high-low: poker in which the high and low hands split the pot


penny ante: poker played for small stakes


penny ante poker: poker played for small stakes


straight poker: poker in which each player gets 5 cards face down and bets are made without drawing any further cards


strip poker: poker in which a player's losses are paid by removing an article of clothing


stud: poker in which each player receives hole cards and the remainder are dealt face up; bets are placed after each card is dealt


stud poker: poker in which each player receives hole cards and the remainder are dealt face up; bets are placed after each card is dealt


cinch: a form of all fours in which the players bid for the privilege of naming trumps


pitch: an all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump


auction pitch: an all-fours game in which the first card led is a trump


seven-up: a form of all fours in which a total of seven points is game


old sledge: a form of all fours in which a total of seven points is game


royal casino: a form of casino in which face cards have extra point values


spade casino: a form of casino in which spades have the value of one point


table game: a game that is played on a table


table tennis: a game (trademark Ping-Pong) resembling tennis but played on a table with paddles and a light hollow ball


Ping-Pong: a game (trademark Ping-Pong) resembling tennis but played on a table with paddles and a light hollow ball


dominoes: any of several games played with small rectangular blocks


dominos: any of several games played with small rectangular blocks


nim: game in which matchsticks are arranged in rows and players alternately remove one or more of them; in some versions the object is to take the last remaining matchstick on the table and in other versions the object is to avoid taking the last remaining matchstick on the table


billiards: any of several games played on rectangular cloth-covered table (with cushioned edges) in which long tapering cue sticks are used to propel ivory (or composition) balls


break: the opening shot that scatters the balls in billiards or pool


carom: a shot in billiards in which the cue ball contacts one object ball and then the other


cannon: a shot in billiards in which the cue ball contacts one object ball and then the other


masse: a shot in billiards made by hitting the cue ball with the cue held nearly vertically; the cue ball spins around another ball before hitting the object ball


masse shot: a shot in billiards made by hitting the cue ball with the cue held nearly vertically; the cue ball spins around another ball before hitting the object ball


miscue: a faulty shot in billiards; the cue tip slips off the cue ball


pool: any of various games played on a pool table having 6 pockets


pocket billiards: any of various games played on a pool table having 6 pockets


snooker: a form of pool played with 15 red balls and six balls of other colors and a cue ball


bagatelle: a table game in which short cues are used to knock balls into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs; penalties are incurred if the pegs are knocked over


bar billiards: a table game in which short cues are used to knock balls into holes that are guarded by wooden pegs; penalties are incurred if the pegs are knocked over


parlor game: a game suitable for playing in a parlor


parlour game: a game suitable for playing in a parlor


word game: any game involving the formation or alteration or discovery of words


anagrams: a game whose object is to form words from a group of randomly chosen letters


Scrabble: a board game in which words are formed from letters in patterns similar to a crossword puzzle; each letter has a value and those values are used to score the game


board game: a game played on a specially designed board


backgammon: a board game for two players; pieces move according to throws of the dice


checkers: a checkerboard game for two players who each have 12 pieces; the object is to jump over and so capture the opponent's pieces


draughts: a checkerboard game for two players who each have 12 pieces; the object is to jump over and so capture the opponent's pieces


chess: a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king


chess game: a board game for two players who move their 16 pieces according to specific rules; the object is to checkmate the opponent's king


Chinese checkers: a board game in which each player tries to move a set of marbles through a set of holes from one point of a six-pointed star to the opposite point


Chinese chequers: a board game in which each player tries to move a set of marbles through a set of holes from one point of a six-pointed star to the opposite point


darts: a game in which small pointed missiles are thrown at a dartboard


go: a board game for two players who place counters on a grid; the object is to surround and so capture the opponent's counters


go game: a board game for two players who place counters on a grid; the object is to surround and so capture the opponent's counters


halma: a board game in which players try to move their pieces into their opponent's bases


lotto: a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards


bingo: a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards


beano: a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards


keno: a game in which numbered balls are drawn at random and players cover the corresponding numbers on their cards


tombola: a lottery in which tickets are drawn from a revolving drum


ludo: a simple board game in which players move counters according to the throw of dice


Mah-Jongg: Chinese game played by 4 people with 144 tiles


mahjong: Chinese game played by 4 people with 144 tiles


Monopoly: a board game in which players try to gain a monopoly on real estate as pieces advance around the board according to the throw of a die


pachisi: an ancient board game resembling backgammon; played on a cross-shaped board


parchesi: an ancient board game resembling backgammon; played on a cross-shaped board


parchisi: an ancient board game resembling backgammon; played on a cross-shaped board


Parcheesi: a modern board game based on pachisi


shogi: a form of chess played on a board of 81 squares; each player has 20 pieces


shovel board: a game in which coins or discs are slid by hand across a board toward a mark


shove-halfpenny: a game in which coins or discs are slid by hand across a board toward a mark


shove-ha'penny: a game in which coins or discs are slid by hand across a board toward a mark


snakes and ladders: a board game for children who use dice to move counters up ladders and down snakes


ticktacktoe: a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does


ticktacktoo: a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does


tick-tack-toe: a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does


tic-tac-toe: a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does


tit-tat-toe: a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does


noughts and crosses: a game in which two players alternately put crosses and circles in one of the compartments of a square grid of nine spaces; the object is to get a row of three crosses or three circles before the opponent does


sporting life: active interest in gambling on sports events


bet: the act of gambling


wager: the act of gambling


daily double: a single bet on two horse races in the same day


exacta: a bet that you can pick the first and second finishers in the right order


perfecta: a bet that you can pick the first and second finishers in the right order


parimutuel: betting where winners share the total amount wagered


parlay: a series of wagers in which the winnings from one wager are used as a stake for the subsequent wagers


place bet: a bet that a horse will finish a race no worse than second


superfecta: a bet that you can pick the first four finishers in a race in the right order


game of chance: a game that involves gambling


gambling game: a game that involves gambling


fantan: a Chinese gambling game; a random number of counters are placed under a bowl and you gamble on how many will be left (0, 1, 2, or 3 modulo 4)


fan tan: a Chinese gambling game; a random number of counters are placed under a bowl and you gamble on how many will be left (0, 1, 2, or 3 modulo 4)


lottery: players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots


drawing: players buy (or are given) chances and prizes are distributed by casting lots


lucky dip: a game in which prizes (e.g., candies or coins) are concealed in a container and for a small sum a player can draw one out at random


numbers pool: an illegal daily lottery


numbers game: an illegal daily lottery


numbers racket: an illegal daily lottery


numbers: an illegal daily lottery


raffle: a lottery in which the prizes are goods rather than money


sweepstakes: a lottery in which the prize consists of the money paid by the participants


craps: a gambling game played with two dice; a first throw of 7 or 11 wins and a first throw of 2, 3, or 12 loses and a first throw of any other number must be repeated to win before a 7 is thrown, which loses the bet and the dice


crap shooting: playing craps


crapshoot: playing craps


crap game: playing craps


roulette: a gambling game in which players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel a small ball will come to rest in


banking game: any gambling game in which bets are laid against the gambling house or the dealer


zero-sum game: a game in which the total of all the gains and losses is zero


merrymaking: a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity


conviviality: a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity


jollification: a boisterous celebration; a merry festivity


jinks: noisy and mischievous merrymaking


high jinks: noisy and mischievous merrymaking


hijinks: noisy and mischievous merrymaking


high jinx: noisy and mischievous merrymaking


revel: unrestrained merrymaking


revelry: unrestrained merrymaking


sexcapade: a sexual escapade; an illicit affair


spree: a brief indulgence of your impulses


fling: a brief indulgence of your impulses


spending spree: a brief period of extravagant spending


bust: an occasion for excessive eating or drinking


tear: an occasion for excessive eating or drinking


binge: an occasion for excessive eating or drinking


bout: an occasion for excessive eating or drinking


piss-up: vulgar expression for a bout of heavy drinking


carouse: revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party


carousal: revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party


bender: revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party


toot: revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party


booze-up: revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party


orgy: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


debauch: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


debauchery: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


saturnalia: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


riot: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


bacchanal: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


bacchanalia: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


drunken revelry: a wild gathering involving excessive drinking and promiscuity


carnival: a festival marked by merrymaking and processions


Dionysia: an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)


Bacchanalia: an orgiastic festival in ancient Greece in honor of Dionysus (= Bacchus)


play: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement


frolic: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement


romp: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement


gambol: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement


caper: gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement


caper: a playful leap or hop


capriole: a playful leap or hop


capriole: (dressage) a vertical jump of a trained horse with a kick of the hind legs at the top of the jump


flirt: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest


flirting: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest


flirtation: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest


coquetry: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest


dalliance: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest


toying: playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest


folly: foolish or senseless behavior


foolery: foolish or senseless behavior


tomfoolery: foolish or senseless behavior


craziness: foolish or senseless behavior


lunacy: foolish or senseless behavior


indulgence: foolish or senseless behavior


game: frivolous or trifling behavior


meshugaas: (Yiddish) craziness; senseless behavior or activity


mishegaas: (Yiddish) craziness; senseless behavior or activity


mishegoss: (Yiddish) craziness; senseless behavior or activity


buffoonery: acting like a clown or buffoon


clowning: acting like a clown or buffoon


japery: acting like a clown or buffoon


frivolity: acting like a clown or buffoon


harlequinade: acting like a clown or buffoon


prank: acting like a clown or buffoon


shtik: (Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning


schtik: (Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning


shtick: (Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning


schtick: (Yiddish) a prank or piece of clowning


horseplay: rowdy or boisterous play


teasing: playful vexation


word play: playing on words or speech sounds


dirty trick: an unkind or aggressive trick


practical joke: a prank or trick played on a person (especially one intended to make the victim appear foolish)


April fool: a practical joke or trick played on the first day of April


hotfoot: a practical joke that involves inserting a match surreptitiously between the sole and upper of the victim's shoe and then lighting it


rag: a boisterous practical joke (especially by college students)


snipe hunt: an elaborate practical joke in which the unsuspecting victim hunts a snipe and is typically left in the dark holding a bag and waiting for the snipe to run into it


drollery: a quaint and amusing jest


waggery: a quaint and amusing jest


leg-pull: as a joke: trying to make somebody believe something that is not true


leg-pulling: as a joke: trying to make somebody believe something that is not true


pleasantry: an agreeable or amusing remark


beguilement: an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations


distraction: an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations


edutainment: entertainment that is intended to be educational


extravaganza: any lavishly staged or spectacular entertainment


militainment: entertainment with military themes in which the Department of Defense is celebrated


nightlife: the entertainment available to people seeking nighttime diversion


night life: the entertainment available to people seeking nighttime diversion


celebration: the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual


solemnization: the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual


solemnisation: the public performance of a sacrament or solemn ceremony with all appropriate ritual


Isthmian Games: the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially on the Isthmus of Corinth in the first and third years of each Olympiad


Nemean Games: the ancient Panhellenic games held biennially at Nemea in the second and fourth years of each Olympiad


Olympian Games: the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Olympia in honor of Zeus; held every 4 years beginning in 776 BC


Olympic Games: the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Olympia in honor of Zeus; held every 4 years beginning in 776 BC


Pythian Games: the ancient Panhellenic celebration at Delphi held every four years in the third year of the Olympiad in honor of Apollo


Royal National Eisteddfod: an eisteddfod with competitions in music and drama and poetry and the fine arts


eisteddfod: any of several annual Welsh festivals involving artistic competitions (especially in singing)


film festival: a cinematic festival that features films (usually films produced during the past year)


feria: (in Spanish speaking regions) a local festival or fair, usually in honor of some patron saint


festival: an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place)


fete: an organized series of acts and performances (usually in one place)


jazz festival: a festival that features performances by jazz artists


Kwanzaa: a festival featuring African-American culture; celebrated between Christmas and New Year


Kwanza: a festival featuring African-American culture; celebrated between Christmas and New Year


Oktoberfest: an autumn festival that involves merrymaking and drinking beer


Saturnalia: an orgiastic festival in ancient Rome in honor of Saturn


sheepshearing: a festival held at the time sheep are normally sheared


gala: a gay festivity


gala affair: a gay festivity


jamboree: a gay festivity


blowout: a gay festivity


Ludi Saeculares: the centennial rites and games of ancient Rome that marked the commencement of a new generation (100 years representing the longest life in a generation); observances may have begun as early as the 5th century BC and lasted well into the Christian era


secular games: the centennial rites and games of ancient Rome that marked the commencement of a new generation (100 years representing the longest life in a generation); observances may have begun as early as the 5th century BC and lasted well into the Christian era


victory celebration: a celebration following a victory in a battle or sports competition


whoopee: noisy and boisterous revelry


carnival: a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.


fair: a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.


funfair: a traveling show; having sideshows and rides and games of skill etc.


dog show: a competitive exhibition of dogs


horseshow: a competitive exhibition of horses


raree-show: a street show


circus: a performance given by a traveling company of acrobats, clowns, and trained animals


three-ring circus: a circus with simultaneous performances in three rings


Mardi Gras: a carnival held in some countries on Shrove Tuesday (the last day before Lent) but especially in New Orleans


Fat Tuesday: a carnival held in some countries on Shrove Tuesday (the last day before Lent) but especially in New Orleans


show: the act of publicly exhibiting or entertaining


cabaret: a series of acts at a night club


floorshow: a series of acts at a night club


floor show: a series of acts at a night club


ice show: any entertainment performed by ice skaters


interlude: a brief show (music or dance etc) inserted between the sections of a longer performance


intermezzo: a brief show (music or dance etc) inserted between the sections of a longer performance


entr'acte: a brief show (music or dance etc) inserted between the sections of a longer performance


parade: a visible display


display: something shown to the public


exhibit: something shown to the public


showing: something shown to the public


light show: a display of colored lights moving in shifting patterns


presentation: a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view


presentment: a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view


demonstration: a show or display; the act of presenting something to sight or view


demonstration: a show of military force or preparedness


exhibition: the act of exhibiting


repudiation: the exposure of falseness or pretensions


debunking: the exposure of falseness or pretensions


exposure: presentation to view in an open or public manner


production: (law) the act of exhibiting in a court of law


rodeo: an exhibition of cowboy skills


road show: a show on tour


sideshow: a minor show that is part of a larger one (as at the circus)


Wild West Show: a spectacular show organized in 1883 by William F. Cody that featured horseback riding and marksmanship on a large scale; toured the United States and Europe


Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show: a spectacular show organized in 1883 by William F. Cody that featured horseback riding and marksmanship on a large scale; toured the United States and Europe


sport: an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition


athletics: an active diversion requiring physical exertion and competition


adagio: a slow section of a pas de deux requiring great skill and strength by the dancers


break dancing: a form of solo dancing that involves rapid acrobatic moves in which different parts of the body touch the ground; normally performed to the rhythm of rap music


break dance: a form of solo dancing that involves rapid acrobatic moves in which different parts of the body touch the ground; normally performed to the rhythm of rap music


courante: a court dance of the 16th century; consisted of short advances and retreats


nautch: an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girls


nauch: an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girls


nautch dance: an intricate traditional dance in India performed by professional dancing girls


pavane: a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries


pavan: a stately court dance of the 16th and 17th centuries


phrase: dance movements that are linked in a single choreographic sequence


saraband: a stately court dance of the 17th and 18th centuries; in slow time


skank: a rhythmic dance to reggae music performed by bending forward and extending the hands while bending the knees


slam dancing: a form of dancing in which dancers slam into one another; normally performed to punk rock


slam dance: a form of dancing in which dancers slam into one another; normally performed to punk rock


step dancing: dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or postures


hoofing: dancing in which the steps are more important than gestures or postures


tap dancing: a dance step tapped out audibly with the feet


tap dance: a dance step tapped out audibly with the feet


toe dancing: a dance performed on tiptoe


toe dance: a dance performed on tiptoe


soft-shoe: tap dancing wearing shoes that have soft soles


soft-shoe shuffle: tap dancing wearing shoes that have soft soles


soft-shoe dancing: tap dancing wearing shoes that have soft soles


buck-and-wing: a solo tap dance emphasizing sharp taps


stage dancing: a show involving artistic dancing


choreography: a show involving artistic dancing


ballet: a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers


concert dance: a theatrical representation of a story that is performed to music by trained dancers


pas seul: (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure


variation: (ballet) a solo dance or dance figure


pas de deux: (ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble)


duet: (ballet) a dance for two people (usually a ballerina and a danseur noble)


pas de trois: (ballet) a dance for three people


pas de quatre: (ballet) a dance for four people


classical ballet: a style of ballet based on precise conventional steps performed with graceful and flowing movements


modern ballet: a style of ballet that admits a wider variety of movements


comedy ballet: a ballet that stresses the drama with features of comedy


modern dance: a style of theatrical dancing that is not as restricted as classical ballet; movements are expressive of feelings


clog dance: a dance performed while wearing shoes with wooden soles; has heavy stamping steps


clog dancing: a dance performed while wearing shoes with wooden soles; has heavy stamping steps


clog: a dance performed while wearing shoes with wooden soles; has heavy stamping steps


apache dance: a violent fast dance in French vaudeville (an apache is a member of the French underworld)


belly dance: a Middle Eastern dance in which the dancer makes sensuous movements of the hips and abdomen


belly dancing: a Middle Eastern dance in which the dancer makes sensuous movements of the hips and abdomen


danse du ventre: a Middle Eastern dance in which the dancer makes sensuous movements of the hips and abdomen


bolero: a Spanish dance in triple time accompanied by guitar and castanets


cakewalk: a strutting dance based on a march; was performed in minstrel shows; originated as a competition among Black dancers to win a cake


cancan: a high-kicking dance of French origin performed by a female chorus line


nude dancing: erotic dancing with little or no clothing


fan dance: a solo dance in which large fans are manipulated to suggest or reveal nakedness


strip: a form of erotic entertainment in which a dancer gradually undresses to music


striptease: a form of erotic entertainment in which a dancer gradually undresses to music


strip show: a form of erotic entertainment in which a dancer gradually undresses to music


bubble dance: a solo dance similar to a fan dance except large balloons are used instead of fans


interpretive dance: a form of modern dance in which the dancer's movements depict an emotion or tell a story


interpretive dancing: a form of modern dance in which the dancer's movements depict an emotion or tell a story


interpretative dance: a form of modern dance in which the dancer's movements depict an emotion or tell a story


interpretative dancing: a form of modern dance in which the dancer's movements depict an emotion or tell a story


social dancing: dancing as part of a social occasion


jitterbug: a jerky American dance that was popular in the 1940s


lindy: an energetic American dance that was popular in the 1930s (probably named for the aviator Charles Lindbergh)


lindy hop: an energetic American dance that was popular in the 1930s (probably named for the aviator Charles Lindbergh)


fandango: a provocative Spanish courtship dance in triple time; performed by a man and a woman playing castanets


farandole: a lively dance from Provence; all the dancers join hands and execute various figures


flamenco: a style of dancing characteristic of the Andalusian Gypsies; vigorous and rhythmic with clapping and stamping of feet


gypsy dancing: a style of dancing characteristic of the Andalusian Gypsies; vigorous and rhythmic with clapping and stamping of feet


gavotte: an old formal French dance in quadruple time


habanera: a Cuban dance in duple time


shag: a lively dance step consisting of hopping on each foot in turn


shimmy: lively dancing (usually to ragtime music) with much shaking of the shoulders and hips


stomp: a dance involving a rhythmical stamping step


tarantella: a lively whirling Italian dance for two persons


tarantelle: a lively whirling Italian dance for two persons


dance step: a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance


step: a sequence of foot movements that make up a particular dance


chasse: (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading


sashay: (ballet) quick gliding steps with one foot always leading


glissade: (ballet) a gliding or sliding step in ballet


turnout: (ballet) the outward rotation of a dancer's leg from the hip


twist: social dancing in which couples vigorously twist their hips and arms in time to the music; was popular in the 1960s


ballroom dancing: any of a variety of social dances performed by couples in a ballroom


ballroom dance: any of a variety of social dances performed by couples in a ballroom


beguine: a ballroom dance that originated in the French West Indies; similar to the rumba


carioca: a lively ballroom dance that resembles the samba


cha-cha: a modern ballroom dance from Latin America; small steps and swaying movements of the hips


cha-cha-cha: a modern ballroom dance from Latin America; small steps and swaying movements of the hips


one-step: an early ballroom dance; precursor to the fox-trot


turkey trot: an early ragtime one-step


fox-trot: a ballroom dance in quadruple time; combines short and long and fast and slow steps fixed sequences


foxtrot: a ballroom dance in quadruple time; combines short and long and fast and slow steps fixed sequences


two-step: a ballroom dance in duple meter; marked by sliding steps


bunny hug: a syncopated ballroom dance formerly popular in the US


Charleston: an American ballroom dance in syncopated rhythm; popular early in the 20th century


conga: a Latin American dance of 3 steps and a kick by people in single file


cotillion: a lively dance originating in France in the 18th century


cotilion: a lively dance originating in France in the 18th century


minuet: a stately court dance in the 17th century


paso doble: a ballroom dance in fast duple time


quickstep: a ballroom dance with both quick and slow steps


rumba: a ballroom dance based on the Cuban folk dance


rhumba: a ballroom dance based on the Cuban folk dance


samba: a lively ballroom dance from Brazil


round dance: a ballroom dance characterized by revolving movement


round dancing: a ballroom dance characterized by revolving movement


tango: a ballroom dance of Latin-American origin


waltz: a ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat


valse: a ballroom dance in triple time with a strong accent on the first beat


folk dancing: a style of dancing that originated among ordinary people (not in the royal courts)


folk dance: a style of dancing that originated among ordinary people (not in the royal courts)


mazurka: a Polish national dance in triple time


polka: a Bohemian dance with 3 steps and a hop in fast time


schottische: a German round dance resembling a slow polka


morris dance: any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in costume


morris dancing: any of various English folk dances performed by dancers in costume


sword dance: any of various dances by men who step nimbly over swords or flourish them in the air


sword dancing: any of various dances by men who step nimbly over swords or flourish them in the air


mambo: a Latin American dance similar in rhythm to the rumba


highland fling: a vigorous Scottish reel


hornpipe: a British solo dance performed by sailors


jig: any of various old rustic dances involving kicking and leaping


country-dance: a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line


country dancing: a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line


contredanse: a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line


contra danse: a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line


contradance: a type of folk dance in which couples are arranged in sets or face one another in a line


longways: country dancing performed with couples in two long lines facing each other


longways dance: country dancing performed with couples in two long lines facing each other


Virginia reel: an American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines


reel: an American country dance which starts with the couples facing each other in two lines


round dance: a folk dance; dancers form a circle


ring dance: a folk dance; dancers form a circle


square dance: American country dancing in which couples form squares


square dancing: American country dancing in which couples form squares


reel: a lively dance of Scottish Highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps


Scottish reel: a lively dance of Scottish Highlanders; marked by circular moves and gliding steps


eightsome: a Scottish reel for eight dancers


quadrille: a square dance of 5 or more figures for 4 or more couples


lancers: a quadrille for 8 or 16 couples


do-si-do: a square-dance figure; two dancers approach each other and circle back to back before returning to their original places


promenade: a square dance figure; couples march counterclockwise in a circle


sashay: a square dance figure; partners circle each other taking sideways steps


swing: a square dance figure; a pair of dancers join hands and dance around a point between them


landler: a moderately slow Austrian country dance in triple time; involves spinning and clapping


ritual dancing: a dance that is part of a religious ritual


ritual dance: a dance that is part of a religious ritual


ceremonial dance: a dance that is part of a religious ritual


rumba: a folk dance in duple time that originated in Cuba with Spanish and African elements; features complex footwork and violent movement


rhumba: a folk dance in duple time that originated in Cuba with Spanish and African elements; features complex footwork and violent movement


apache devil dance: a ritual dance of the Apache


corn dance: a rain dance of Amerindians


danse macabre: a medieval dance in which a skeleton representing death leads a procession of others to the grave


dance of death: a medieval dance in which a skeleton representing death leads a procession of others to the grave


ghost dance: a religious dance of Native Americans looking for communication with the dead


hula: a Polynesian rain dance performed by a woman


hula-hula: a Polynesian rain dance performed by a woman


Hawaiian dancing: a Polynesian rain dance performed by a woman


pyrrhic: an ancient Greek dance imitating the motions of warfare


rain dance: a ritual dance intended to bring rain


snake dance: a ceremonial dance (as by the Hopi) in which snakes are handled or invoked


sun dance: a ceremonial dance performed by Amerindians at the summer solstice


war dance: a ceremonial dance performed before a battle or after a victory


music: musical activity (singing or whistling etc.)


bell ringing: playing a set of bells that are (usually) hung in a tower


carillon: playing a set of bells that are (usually) hung in a tower


carillon playing: playing a set of bells that are (usually) hung in a tower


change ringing: ringing tuned bells in a fixed order that is continually changing


instrumental music: music produced by playing a musical instrument


intonation: the production of musical tones (by voice or instrument); especially the exactitude of the pitch relations


percussion: the act of playing a percussion instrument


drumming: the act of playing drums


vocal music: music that is vocalized (as contrasted with instrumental music)


singing: the act of singing vocal music


vocalizing: the act of singing vocal music


a cappella singing: singing without instrumental accompaniment


a capella singing: singing without instrumental accompaniment


bel canto: a style of operatic singing


coloratura: singing with florid ornamentation


song: the act of singing


strain: the act of singing


carol: a joyful song (usually celebrating the birth of Christ)


lullaby: the act of singing a quiet song to lull a child to sleep


cradlesong: the act of singing a quiet song to lull a child to sleep


caroling: singing joyful religious songs (especially at Christmas)


crooning: the act of singing popular songs in a sentimental manner


crooning: singing in a soft low tone


scat: singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument


scat singing: singing jazz; the singer substitutes nonsense syllables for the words of the song and tries to sound like a musical instrument


whistling: the act of whistling a tune


beat: a stroke or blow


bow: a stroke with a curved piece of wood with taut horsehair strands that is used in playing stringed instruments


down-bow: a downward stroke from the heel to the tip of the bow


up-bow: an upward stroke from the tip to the heel of the bow


officiation: the performance of a religious or ceremonial or public duty


acting: the performance of a part or role in a drama


playing: the performance of a part or role in a drama


playacting: the performance of a part or role in a drama


performing: the performance of a part or role in a drama


portrayal: acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture


characterization: acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture


enactment: acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture


personation: acting the part of a character on stage; dramatically representing the character by speech and action and gesture


impression: an impressionistic portrayal of a person


impersonation: imitating the mannerisms of another person


personation: imitating the mannerisms of another person


apery: the act of mimicking; imitative behavior


mimicry: the act of mimicking; imitative behavior


parody: humorous or satirical mimicry


mockery: humorous or satirical mimicry


takeoff: humorous or satirical mimicry


method acting: an acting technique introduced by Stanislavsky in which the actor recalls emotions or reactions from his or her own life and uses them to identify with the character being portrayed


method: an acting technique introduced by Stanislavsky in which the actor recalls emotions or reactions from his or her own life and uses them to identify with the character being portrayed


mime: a performance using gestures and body movements without words


pantomime: a performance using gestures and body movements without words


dumb show: a performance using gestures and body movements without words


panto: an abbreviation of pantomime


business: incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect


stage business: incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect


byplay: incidental activity performed by an actor for dramatic effect


shtik: (Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention


schtik: (Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention


shtick: (Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention


schtick: (Yiddish) a contrived and often used bit of business that a performer uses to steal attention


performance: the act of presenting a play or a piece of music or other entertainment


program: a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation


programme: a performance (or series of performances) at a public presentation


bill: the entertainment offered at a public presentation


skit: a short theatrical episode


hamming: poor acting by a ham actor


overacting: poor acting by a ham actor


heroics: ostentatious or vainglorious or extravagant or melodramatic conduct


reenactment: performing a role in an event that occurred at an earlier time


roleplaying: acting a particular role (as in psychotherapy)


card trick: a trick performed with playing cards


prestidigitation: manual dexterity in the execution of tricks


sleight of hand: manual dexterity in the execution of tricks


liveliness: general activity and motion


animation: general activity and motion


brouhaha: a confused disturbance far greater than its cause merits


circus: a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment


carnival: a frenetic disorganized (and often comic) disturbance suggestive of a large public entertainment


disorganization: the disturbance of a systematic arrangement causing disorder and confusion


disorganisation: the disturbance of a systematic arrangement causing disorder and confusion


disruption: the act of causing disorder


perturbation: the act of causing disorder


dislocation: the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue


breakdown: the act of disrupting an established order so it fails to continue


surprise: the act of surprising someone


surprisal: the act of surprising someone


commotion: the act of making a noisy disturbance


din: the act of making a noisy disturbance


ruction: the act of making a noisy disturbance


ruckus: the act of making a noisy disturbance


rumpus: the act of making a noisy disturbance


tumult: the act of making a noisy disturbance


furor: a sudden outburst (as of protest)


furore: a sudden outburst (as of protest)


havoc: violent and needless disturbance


mayhem: violent and needless disturbance


melee: a noisy riotous fight


scrimmage: a noisy riotous fight


battle royal: a noisy riotous fight


agitation: disturbance usually in protest


excitement: disturbance usually in protest


turmoil: disturbance usually in protest


upheaval: disturbance usually in protest


hullabaloo: disturbance usually in protest


outburst: a sudden violent disturbance


tumultuous disturbance: a sudden violent disturbance


rampage: violently angry and destructive behavior


violent disorder: violently angry and destructive behavior


wilding: an outrageous rampage usually involving sexual attacks by men on women


upset: the act of disturbing the mind or body


derangement: the act of disturbing the mind or body


overthrow: the act of disturbing the mind or body


bustle: a rapid active commotion


hustle: a rapid active commotion


flurry: a rapid active commotion


ado: a rapid active commotion


fuss: a rapid active commotion


stir: a rapid active commotion


burst: a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)


fit: a sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason)


fits and starts: repeated bursts of activity


haste: the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner