circular
/ˈsɜː.kjə.lə/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.96 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
Circuitous or roundabout.
adj
Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension; infinitely recursive.
adj
Distributed to a large number of persons.
noun
An advertisement, directive or notice intended for mass circulation.
Example Sentences
- "Near-synonyms: oval; round; toroid, ringlike, round-like"
- "Here, in the transept and choir, where the service was being held, one was conscious every moment of an increasing brightness; colours glowing vividly beneath the circular chandeliers, and the rows of small lights on the choristers' desks flashed and sparkled in front of the boys' faces, deep linen collars, and red neckbands."
- "circular reasoning"
- "Your dictionary defines "brave" as "courageous", and "courageous" as "brave". That's a circular definition."
- "a circular formula in a spreadsheet"
- "It must be conceded that this definition (the definition of tort) is somewhat circular, but it is the only one that will suffice."
Etymology
From Middle English circuler, circuleer, circulere, from Old French circulier (French circulaire), from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus, diminutive of circus (“ring”). By surface analysis, circle + -ar.
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈsɜː.kjə.lə/
- British English: /ˈsɜː.kjə.lə/
Usage
Inflected Forms
more circular (comparative)
most circular (superlative)
circulars (plural)
circulars (present, singular)
circularing (participle, present)
circulared (participle, past)
circulared (past)