circuitous
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of circuitous
1655–65; < Medieval Latin circuitōsus, equivalent to circuit ( us ) circuit + -ōsus -ous
Explanation
Circuitous means indirect or roundabout. If you're already late for school, you'll want to take the straightest, fastest way there, not a circuitous one! Circuitous comes from the Latin word circuitus meaning "a going around." If you're being circuitous it's like you're going around and around in circles. It can also refer to someone's manner or speech, if they are not being direct. For example, if you want someone to get you another piece of cake, but just you sit there looking longingly at your empty plate and talking about how delicious cake is, then you're being circuitous. And annoying.
Vocabulary lists containing circuitous
100 SAT words Beginning with "C"
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Grade 12, List 3
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This Week In Culture: October 26–November 1, 2019
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Circuitous as it is, though, the ISP initiative might actually work, especially if Google picks the right cities to serve.
From Slate • Feb. 18, 2010
A Circuitous Route Gianni�he was christened "Giovanni" but began early to use the shorter name to distinguish himself from his grandfather�followed a circuitous and somewhat star-crossed route to his inheritance.
From Time Magazine Archive
Hence: Circuitous way or proceeding; quibble; circumlocution; indirect mode of speech.
From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary by Webster, Noah
"This room is the Circuit Court," Genest remarked—"Zotique there, calls it the Circuitous Court—A very poor pun is received with hospitality here."
From The Young Seigneur Or, Nation-Making by Lighthall, W. D. (William Douw)
Circuitous exaction has been, till lately, long discarded.
From The Stranger in France or, a Tour from Devonshire to Paris Illustrated by Engravings in Aqua Tint of Sketches Taken on the Spot. by Carr, John, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
