circular — English Dictionary

circular
Word-form referencescircular filecircular letter
Pronunciations (5)
  • /ˈsɜː.kjə.lə/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Australia
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ˈsɜɹ.kjə.ləɹ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American
  • /ˈsɪɾ.kjə.ləɾ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Scotland
  • ˈsɜːk.jə.lə(ɹ)
    Pronunciation notes
    • GB
  • ˈsɝk.jə.lɚ
    Pronunciation notes
    • US

Adjective

  1. Of or relating to a circle.

  2. In the shape of, or moving in, a circle.

    Examples

    Near-synonyms: oval; round; toroid, ringlike, round-like

    More examples (1)

    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.

  3. Circuitous or roundabout.

  4. Referring back to itself, so as to prevent computation or comprehension; infinitely recursive.

    Examples

    circular reasoning

    Your dictionary defines "brave" as "courageous", and "courageous" as "brave". That's a circular definition.

    More examples (2)

    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.

  5. Distributed to a large number of persons.

    Examples

    a proclamation of Henry III., […] doubtless circular throughout England

  6. Perfect; complete.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    Examples

    A man so absolute and circular / In all those wished-for rarities that may take / A virgin captive.

  7. Adhering to a fixed circle of legends; cyclic; hence, mean; inferior.

    Usage
    • Archaic
    Examples
    More examples (1)

    February 1, 1711, John Dennis, on the Genius and Writings of Shakespeare Had Virgil been a circular poet, and closely adhered to history, how could the Romans have had Dido?

Noun

  1. An advertisement, directive or notice intended for mass circulation.

    Synonyms
    Examples

    Near-synonym: flyer (advertisement)

    The pigeon-hole was also stuffed with circulars and hand-bills.

  2. A sleeveless cloak cut from a circular pattern.

    Usage
    • Dated
  3. A shuttle bus with a circular route.

Verb

  1. To distribute circulars to or at.

    Examples
    More examples (1)

    The result of the sending of these notices confirms me in the opinion, that it will be necessary to adopt legal means with the great majority of these parties. The circulars have had little effect. In fact, the parties have been “circulared" into the notion that nothing more formidable will ever be sent to them.

    It is true, that, to obtain these, some six hundred or more institutions were circulared, and a good many of these a second time.

    I do not mean to say we have never employed some of them who come to us—but we have never circulared agents or gone after them.

    More examples (1)

    If you've ever been circulared by drug repackaging houses, you know they usually offer to trade a selection of office supplies for your unused drug samples.

  2. To extend in a circular direction.

    Examples
    More examples (1)

    The theme can be expressed in an architectural analogy. For, of all contriving to encover space, the arch — alone or 'circulared' into the dome — is the most ingenious.

Adjective

  1. having the shape or form of a circle

    Synonyms
  2. describing a circle; moving in a circle

    Examples

    the circular motion of the wheel

Noun

  1. an advertisement (usually printed on a page or in a leaflet) intended for wide distribution

    Examples

    he mailed the circular to all subscribers

Word forms
more circularmost circularcircularscircularscircularingcircularedcirculared

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