Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

circumvent

/səːkəmˈvɛnt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.15 in modern English

Syllables: cir-cum-vent
IPA: /səːkəmˈvɛnt/

19

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

to avoid or get around something; to bypass

Transitive verb

verb

to surround or besiege

Transitive verb

verb

to outwit or outsmart

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"The line turns a sharp right-angle to the north to circumvent the town, and then plunges straight into the 1 in 50, which lasts for nearly 20 miles with few intermissions, and some pitches of 1 in 40."
"We are mortified by not being thought worthy of trust; and there is also a feeling of small triumph in circumventing those who doubt either our inclination or our power of service."

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der. Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos)bor. Latin circus Latin circum Latin circum- Proto-Indo-European *gʷem- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *gʷm̥yéti Proto-Italic *gʷəniō Latin veniō Latin circumveniōlbor. English circumvent Learned borrowing from Latin circumveniō.

Usage

Transitive verb

Inflected Forms

circumvents (present, singular) circumventing (participle, present) circumvented (participle, past) circumvented (past) circumvene (alternative)

Derived Forms

circumventable circumvental circumventer circumvential circumventingly circumvention circumventive circumventor

Frequently Paired Words

circumvention circumventive

Synonyms

hedge fudge evade put off parry elude skirt dodge duck sidestep

Rhymes With

went event sent percent spent meant non-event cent prevent rent represent extent

Questions

How do you pronounce circumvent?: The recorded pronunciation is /səːkəmˈvɛnt/.
What does circumvent mean?: to avoid or get around something; to bypass
Where does circumvent come from?: Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *(s)ker-der. Ancient Greek κίρκος (kírkos)bor. Latin circus Latin circum Latin circum- Proto-Indo-European *gʷem- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *gʷm̥yéti Proto-Italic *gʷəniō Latin veniō Latin circumveniōlbor. English circumvent Learned borrowing from Latin circumveniō.

How to pronounce circumvent

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “circumvent”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/səːkəmˈvɛnt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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