Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

circumspection

/ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.77 in modern English

Syllables: cir-cum-spec-tion
IPA: /ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/

24

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

4

Syllables

11

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Attention to all the facts and circumstances of a case; consideration of all that is pertinent.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Caution, watchfulness, or vigilance fueled by such awareness.

Countable; Uncountable

Example Sentences

"As if this were not enough, CAW has failed to utilize even his limited sources with diligence and circumspection; to demonstrate this point, I will briefly note inadequacies in the data adduced by CAW."

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English circumspeccioun, from Middle French circonspection or its etymon Latin circumspectio. By surface analysis, circum- + Latin spect + -ion, "looking [all] around" (as compared with the opposite concept, embodied as tunnel vision or blinders).

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: circumspeccioun, circonspection, circumspectio

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/
British English: /ˌsɜːkəmˈspɛkʃən/

Usage

Inflected Forms

circumspections (plural)

Synonyms

caution discretion discreetness prudence

Rhymes With

election section collection direction protection connection selection infection reflection inspection detection perfection

Questions

How do you pronounce circumspection?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/.
What does circumspection mean?: Attention to all the facts and circumstances of a case; consideration of all that is pertinent.
Where does circumspection come from?: It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce circumspection

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “circumspection”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌsɚkəmˈspɛkʃən/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “circumspection”.
Repeat and practice — Say “circumspection” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.