杂耍是多种高难度表演形式的通称，其中包括用手抛扔道具的丢掷技、平衡技巧、空中技巧、跳跃技巧、柔身术等等。传统行走江湖卖艺的表演，常是杂技、武术、魔术、马戏（驯兽）等表演形式的综合体。今天的杂技表演也常常和魔术、马戏表演一起进行。

杂耍演出所操控的对象称为道具，其中马戏技艺使用扯铃、恶魔棍、雪茄盒操控、吞火和接触技等等。这类的杂耍表演也会使用如晃板、叠板凳、平衡杆、高跷、单轮车等平衡类道具，以增加表演难度。西方的杂耍表演中比较纯粹是道具操控，而东方杂耍杂技表演偶尔也会被纳入杂技的范围中，这些项目包括转笔、立骰和非魔术的纸牌特技等等。

Juggling is a physical skill, performed by a juggler, involving the manipulation of objects for recreation, entertainment, art, or sport. The most recognizable form of juggling is toss juggling. Juggling can be the manipulation of one object or many objects at the same time, using one or many hands. Jugglers often refer to the objects they juggle as props. The most common props are balls, clubs, or rings. Some jugglers use more dramatic objects such as knives, fire torches or chainsaws. The term juggling can also commonly refer to other prop-based manipulation skills, such as diabolo, devil sticks, poi, cigar boxes, contact juggling, hooping, and hat manipulation.