roundabout

1 of 2

adjective

round·​about ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 

: circuitous, indirect

had to take a roundabout route

roundaboutness noun

roundabout

2 of 2

noun

1

: a circuitous route : detour

2

British : merry-go-round

3

: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century

4

: rotary sense 2

Synonyms

Adjective

• circuitous
• circular
• indirect

Examples of roundabout in a Sentence

Adjective

He took a roundabout route to town.

In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

All of which brings us, in a painfully roundabout way, to Joao Felix. —Jack Lang, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025

In a roundabout way, Miami’s love of flashy electric cars is paving the way for more affordable EVs to roll out across Florida and around the world. —Nicolas Rivero, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2025

Noun

The minor enhancements consist of new paint and signage, while the major enhancements include new grassed medians, a new roundabout and the potential elimination of a left turn lane as well as new paint and signage, according to Henricksen. —Noah Mitchell, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

In addition to wider sidewalks and roundabouts to slow down traffic, the project will include rectangular rapid flashing beacons at crosswalks and signals called HAWKs. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

roundabout

adjective

round·​about

ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t

: not direct

went a roundabout way