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.
The circuitous paths and under-the-speed-limit driving means you have to budget extra travel time.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Instead, he followed a circuitous path that included cult comedy fame and sitcom stints.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
The Rams upcoming 22-week journey will take them far and wide, from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C. and back to SoFi, a circuitous and challenging journey with but one consistent stop.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026
More than a decade older than some of her competitors, Ohashi can’t help but giggle at how circuitous her path has been.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2026
We take a circuitous route back to the ten o’clock beach.
From "Catching Fire" by Suzanne Collins
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
