'acrobat' originates from French, specifically the word 'acrobate', where 'acro-' meant 'high' and '-bat' meant 'to walk'.

'acrobate' transformed into the English word 'acrobat' in the 19th century.

Initially, it meant 'one who walks on tiptoe or performs on a tightrope', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a performer of gymnastic feats'.