Barnumesque is synonymous to flamboyant, bombastic, grandiose, showy, extravagant, and theatrical. It is often used to describe a spectacle that is larger than life, or an over-the-top performance. Barnumesque is typically associated with P.T. Barnum, the famous American showman and circus owner who was known for his sensational and ostentatious displays. The term has become a part of popular culture and is often used to describe anything that is flashy or dramatic. Whether used to describe a person, place, or thing, Barnumesque always adds an element of excitement and awe.