circle

[ sur-kuhl ]

/ ˈsɜr kəl /

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See synonyms for: circle / circled / circling 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).

OTHER WORDS FOR circle

3 ring, halo, corona.

See synonyms for circle on Thesaurus.com

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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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 FROM circle

circler, nounin·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

France 24 is providing live, round-the-clock coverage of both scenes as they progress.
LIVE Coverage of the Paris Terror Attacks||January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Sands was involved in a scandalous-for-the-time romance with the carpenter and there were rumors she was pregnant with his child.
New York’s Most Tragic Ghost Loves Minimalist Swedish Fashion|Nina Strochlic|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Three on-the-record stories from a family: a mother and her daughters who came from Phoenix.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
House Speaker John Boehner and other GOP leaders have circled the wagons, vouching for Scalise.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise|Jason Berry|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The Dallas Cowboys sell out their state-of-the art football stadium.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sleek finds it far harder work than fortune-making; but he pursues his Will-o'-the-Wisp with untiring energy.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Wharton and Louis had withdrawn their hands at the same instant they caught his eye; and the Duke turned into the circle.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
It was the conversation of every circle; and discussed according to the dispositions, or views of the speakers.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
We (the officers) were sitting in a circle round the general and Alcalde, both of whom appeared uneasy and anxious.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
The treasure taken on board these vessels was afterwards conveyed to the bank of England in 20 wagons.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell

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; setgolf 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 latitudeSee 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 argumentSee vicious circle (def. 2)

come full circle to arrive back at one's starting pointSee 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

Derived forms of circle

circler, noun

Word Origin for circle

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

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.

circle

OTHER WORDS FOR circle

Idioms about circle

Origin of circle

synonym study for circle

OTHER WORDS FROM circle

Words related to circle

How to use circle in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for circle

Derived forms of circle

Word Origin for circle

Scientific definitions for circle

Other Idioms and Phrases with circle