# spectacle

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈspɛktəkl̩/ · frequency rank #12,866

## Definitions
1. An exciting or extraordinary scene, exhibition, performance etc.
2. An embarrassing or unedifying scene or situation.
3. Attributive form of spectacles.
4. The brille of a snake.
5. A frame with different coloured lenses on a semaphore signal through which light from a lamp shines at night, often a part of the signal arm.

## Etymology
From Middle English spectacle, from Middle French spectacle, from Latin spectāculum (“a show, spectacle”), from spectō (“to see, behold”), frequentative of speciō (“to see”). See species. Doublet of spectaculum.

## Easily confused with
- **spectacles** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/spectacle-vs-spectacles)

## Common misspellings (14)
`psectacle`, `sepctacle`, `spcetacle`, `specatcle`, `specctacle`, `spectaccle`, `spectacel`, `spectaclle`, `spectalce`, `spectcale`, `specttacle`, `spetcacle`, `sppectacle`, `sspectacle`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/spectacle