circuitous

[ ser-kyoo-i-tuhs ]

/ sərˈkyu ɪ təs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR circuitous ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

roundabout; not direct: a circuitous route; a circuitous argument.

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Origin of circuitous

1655–65; < Medieval Latin circuitōsus, equivalent to circuit(us) circuit + -ōsus -ous

SYNONYMS FOR circuitous

circular, winding, indirect, meandering.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR circuitous ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR circuitous

straight, direct.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR circuitous ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

cir·cu·i·tous·ly, adverbcir·cu·i·tous·ness, nounnon·cir·cu·i·tous, adjectivenon·cir·cu·i·tous·ly, adverb

non·cir·cu·i·tous·ness, nounun·cir·cu·i·tous, adjectiveun·cir·cu·i·tous·ly, adverbun·cir·cu·i·tous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for circuitous

It seems like you took a circuitous route, rather than coming up through some agency.
Anastasia Ashley, Surfer-Cum-Model, Rides The Viral Internet Wave|James Joiner|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were flawed and beautiful men in circuitous search of redemption, and Newman wore the characters effortlessly.
The Stacks: The Eyes of Winter: Paul Newman at 70|Peter Richmond|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There was nothing new, or even objectionable, in the speech, which took a circuitous historical route to its subject.
It’s the Wages, Stupid|Daniel Gross|December 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But a Palestinian from the West Bank would need to travel all the way around on a circuitous route.
Israel Discourages Journalists From Visiting West Bank|Ali Gharib|March 18, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The circuitous route that Lincoln claimed, via the Great Lakes, was actually the one best suited for passenger travel in the era.
Santorum’s Audi and Other Political Transportation Follies|Ben Jacobs|February 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
His route was a circuitous one, but it is probable that he pursued it with little caution.
The Life of Francis Marion|William Gilmore Simms
After a circuitous march of several days, they crossed the River Clusius, and came into the territory of the Cenomani.
The Histories of Polybius, Vol. I (of 2)|Polybius
Even then our tours would be circuitous, and sometimes retrograde, and we should turn and double like hares before the hounds.
Haunted London|Walter Thornbury
After a circuitous journey, we came out on a clear grassy brow over-looking much open country.
Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia|Thomas Mitchell
St. Thomas à Becket, though in a circuitous way, had brought deliverance!
Past and Present|Thomas Carlyle

British Dictionary definitions for circuitous

circuitous

/ (səˈkjuːɪtəs) /

adjective

indirect and lengthy; roundabouta circuitous route

Derived Formscircuitously, adverbcircuitousness, 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

Word Origin and History for circuitous

circuitous

adj.

1660s, from Medieval Latin circuitous "full of roundabout ways," from Latin circuitus "a going round" (see circuit (n.)). Related: Circuitously; circuitousness.

circuitous

adjective

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Nearby words

Origin of circuitous

Examples from the Web for circuitous

circuitous

adjective

circuitous