circular

1 of 2

adjective

cir·​cu·​lar ˈsər-kyə-lər 

1

a

: having the form of a circle : round

a circular orbit

b

: moving in or describing a circle or spiral

a circular staircase

2

a

: of or relating to a circle or its mathematical properties

a circular arc

b

: having a circular base or bases

a circular cylinder

3

: circuitous, indirect

4

: marked by or moving in a cycle

5

: being or involving reasoning that uses in the argument or proof a conclusion to be proved or one of its unproved consequences

6

: intended for circulation

a circular letter

circularity

ˌsər-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

noun

circularly

ˈsər-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

circularness noun

circular

2 of 2

noun

: a paper (such as a leaflet) intended for wide distribution

Synonyms

Adjective

• circuitous
• indirect
• roundabout

Noun

• booklet
• brochure
• flyer
• flier
• folder
• leaflet
• pamphlet

Examples of circular in a Sentence

Adjective

That planet has a more circular orbit than our planet does.

a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly

Noun

According to the circular, eggs are on sale this week.

promptly tosses out those advertising circulars that come in the newspaper

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The Recording In the 44-minute recording, the pilots reported seeing unidentified red, circular lights and objects moving erratically toward the ocean and returning at various altitudes, with one saying the objects moved in corkscrew patterns and at extreme speeds. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

Roughly halfway between Hawai’i and American Samoa, Palmyra Atoll forms a circular chain of about 26 small islets surrounded by multiple lagoons and bordered by 15,000 acres of shallow and deeper reefs. —Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Noun

Discount and price comparison apps Discount apps like Flipp aggregate sales fliers and store circulars. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 11 Dec. 2024

In total, the court circular recorded 16 days of in-person meetings in October and 15 in November. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English circuler, from Middle French, from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus circle

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1789, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing circular

• circular dichroism
• circular file
• circular function
• circular saw
• right circular cone
• right circular cylinder

Kids Definition

circular

1 of 2 adjective

cir·​cu·​lar ˈsər-kyə-lər 

1

: having the form of a circle : round

a circular driveway

2

: passing or going around in a circle

circular motion

3

: circuitous sense 1

4

: sent around to a number of persons

a circular letter

circularity

ˌsər-kyə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

circularly

ˈsər-kyə-lər-lē 

adverb

circular

2 of 2 noun

: a printed notice or advertisement given or sent to many people

Medical Definition

circular

adjective

cir·​cu·​lar ˈsər-kyə-lər 

: manic-depressive

especially : bipolar sense 3

the exalted phase of the mental circular state

—Havelock Ellis