circlet

American  

[sur-klit] / ˈsɜr klɪt /

noun

1. a small circle.

2. a ring.

3. a ring-shaped ornament, especially for the head.

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circlet British  

/ ˈsɜːklɪt /

noun

1. a small circle or ring, esp a circular ornament worn on the head

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Etymology

Origin of circlet

1475–85; circle + -et; replacing late Middle English serclett < Middle French

Explanation

Use the noun circlet to describe something that's shaped like a little circle. You might shape a circlet of greens to hang on your door as a wreath. Circlet is an old-fashioned word for a small circle. You could talk about a bride putting a circlet of gold on her groom's finger, or describe a doughnut as a circlet of sweet dough fried in hot oil. Classically, a circlet referred to a crown — a circle made of fine metal and jewels. The Latin root, circus, means "ring," and the French cerclet came later, to mean a smaller ring or circle.

Example Sentences

The King, in a light summer suit, spoke a few quiet words of welcome, wearing a circlet of feathers and a scarf that had been draped ceremonially around his shoulders.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

The first English king shown on a coin wearing a crown or circlet was Athelstan, who died in 939, according to the Royal Household website.

From Washington Post • Dec. 20, 2022

Finally the exasperated Newport pushed down on Powhatan’s shoulders and forced him to stoop low enough to get the circlet on his head.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

He lay silent, seeing from the circlet moon in a window that it was late.”

From Slate • Aug. 4, 2015

He flung his circlet, belt, and rings on the grass, and looked round helplessly, as if he expected to find his cloak, jacket, and breeches, and other hobbit-garments lying somewhere to hand.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien