circle

[ sur-kuhl ]

See synonyms for circle on Thesaurus.com

noun

a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation: x2 + y2 = r2.
the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.

any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement: a circle of dancers.
a ring, circlet, or crown.
the ring of a circus.
a section of seats in a theater: dress circle.
the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.; realm; sphere: A politician has a wide circle of influence.
a series ending where it began, especially when perpetually repeated; cycle: the circle of the year.
Logic. an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise; vicious circle.
a complete series forming a connected whole; cycle: the circle of the sciences.
a number of persons bound by a common tie; coterie: a literary circle;a family circle.
Government. an administrative division, especially of a province.
Geography. a parallel of latitude.
Astronomy.
- (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
- meridian circle.
Surveying. a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read.
a sphere or orb: the circle of the earth.
a ring of light in the sky; halo.

verb (used with object),cir·cled, cir·cling.

to enclose in a circle; surround; encircle: Circle the correct answer on the exam paper.The enemy circled the hill.
to move in a circle or circuit around; rotate or revolve around: He circled the house cautiously.

to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with; bypass; evade: The ship carefully circled the iceberg.

verb (used without object),cir·cled, cir·cling.

to move in a circle or circuit: The plane circled for half an hour before landing.
Movies, Television. to iris (usually followed by in or out).

Idioms about circle

circle the wagons,
- (in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack.
- Slang. to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight: The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.

Origin of circle

First recorded before 1000; Middle English cercle (from Old French cercle), Old English circul, both from Latin circulus, equivalent to circ(us) “circle, circular course, orbit” + -ulus diminutive ending; see circus, -ule)

synonym study For circle

11. Circle, club, coterie, set, society are terms applied to restricted social groups. A circle may be a little group; in the plural it often suggests a whole section of society interested in one mode of life, occupation, etc.: a sewing circle; a language circle; in theatrical circles. Club implies an association with definite requirements for membership and fixed dues: an athletic club. Coterie suggests a little group closely and intimately associated because of congeniality: a literary coterie. Set refers to a number of persons of similar background, interests, etc., somewhat like a clique ( see ring¹ ) but without disapproving connotations; however, it often implies wealth or interest in social activities: the country club set. A society is a group associated to further common interests of a cultural or practical kind: a Humane Society.

Other words for circle

3	ring, halo, corona

See synonyms for circle on Thesaurus.com

Other words from circle

circler, noun
in·ter·cir·cle, verb (used with object), in·ter·cir·cled, in·ter·cir·cling.
re·cir·cle, verb, re·cir·cled, re·cir·cling.
un·cir·cled, adjective
un·der·cir·cle, verb (used with object), un·der·cir·cled, un·der·cir·cling.
un·der·cir·cle, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use circle in a sentence

The whir of the circling NYPD helicopter muffled their chants calling for unity and calling out police brutality.
Protesters Demand Justice For Gurley As Gap Grows Between Cops and NYC | M.L. Nestel | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Few questions, no matter how fun and silly, go by without circling back to their accomplishments or future projects.
How the Property Brothers Became Your Mom’s Favorite TV Stars | Kevin Fallon | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
They envisioned warriors lost in battle, and women who died in childbirth, as honored spirits, circling the sun like hummingbirds.
New Orleans’ Carnivalesque Day of the Dead | Jason Berry | November 1, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Once label execs heard “Hideaway,” they began circling it like hawks.
The Making of Kiesza: From Navy Sharpshooter to Beauty Queen to Pop Diva | Marlow Stern | October 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Having sufficiently wet ourselves, we viewers are left with a chilling, black-and-white image of blood circling the shower drain.
Sex, Blood and Maroon 5: Pop Culture’s Wounds Run Deep | Lizzie Crocker | October 3, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

In his mind Findlayson had already escaped from the boat, and was circling high in air to find a rest for the sole of his foot.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard Kipling
With a flap of his great, black wings he shot downward, circling toward the plain.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
An estrada is simply a path leading from one Hevea tree to another and circling back to camp.
The Wonder Book of Knowledge | Various
I inserted the clip, and lay there with my fore-sight following the disk ship in its steady circling flight.
Valley of the Croen | Lee Tarbell
Over our heads the great blasting explosions went on, and I saw but three of the circling disks left to the defense of the city.
Valley of the Croen | Lee Tarbell

British Dictionary definitions for circle

circle

/ (ˈsɜːkəl) /

noun

maths a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a given fixed point, the centre. Equation: (x –h)² + (y –k)² = r ² where r is the radius and (h, k) are the coordinates of the centre; area πr²; circumference: 2π r
the figure enclosed by such a curve

theatre the section of seats above the main level of the auditorium, usually comprising the dress circle and the upper circle
something formed or arranged in the shape of a circle
a group of people sharing an interest, activity, upbringing, etc; set: golf circles; a family circle
a domain or area of activity, interest, or influence
a circuit
a process or chain of events or parts that forms a connected whole; cycle
a parallel of latitude: See also great circle, small circle
the ring of a circus
one of a number of Neolithic or Bronze Age rings of standing stones, such as Stonehenge, found in Europe and thought to be associated with some form of ritual or astronomical measurement
hockey See striking circle
a circular argument: See vicious circle (def. 2)
come full circle to arrive back at one's starting point: See also vicious circle
go round in circles or run round in circles to engage in energetic but fruitless activity

verb

to move in a circle (around): we circled the city by car
(tr) to enclose in a circle; encircle

Origin of circle

C14: from Latin circulus a circular figure, from circus ring, circle

Derived forms of circle

circler, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for circle

circle

[ sûr′kəl ]

A closed curve whose points are all on the same plane and at the same distance from a fixed point (the center).

Other Idioms and Phrases with circle

circle

see full circle; go around (in circles); run around (in circles); run rings (circles) around; vicious circle.

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