circular

American  

[sur-kyuh-ler] / ˈsɜr kyə lər /

adjective

1. having the form of a circle; round.

   a circular tower.

2. of or relating to a circle.

   a circular plane.

3. moving in or forming a circle or a circuit.

   the circular rotation of the earth.

4. moving or occurring in a cycle or round.

   the circular succession of the seasons.

5. roundabout; indirect; circuitous.

   a circular route.

6. Logic. of or relating to reasoning in which the conclusion is ostensibly proved, but in actuality it or its equivalent has been assumed as a premise.

7. pertaining to a circle or set of persons.

8. (of a letter, memorandum, etc.) addressed to a number of persons or intended for general circulation.

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noun

1. Also circ a letter, advertisement, notice, or statement for circulation among the general public.

   Synonyms:

   leaflet, flier, handbill

circular British  

/ ˈsɜːkjʊlə, ˌsɜːkjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, involving, resembling, or shaped like a circle

2. circuitous

3. (of arguments) futile because the truth of the premises cannot be established independently of the conclusion

4. travelling or occurring in a cycle

5. (of letters, announcements, etc) intended for general distribution

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noun

1. a printed or duplicated advertisement or notice for mass distribution

Other Word Forms

• circularity noun
• circularly adverb
• circularness noun
• noncircular adjective
• noncircularly adverb
• subcircular adjective
• subcircularly adverb
• uncircular adjective
• uncircularly adverb

Etymology

Origin of circular

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin circulāris, equivalent to circul(us), circlus “a circular form or figure; a ring or circle” + -āris adjective suffix; circle, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

He said he had provided "written answers to all" the police questions and asked for the lookout circular to be withdrawn so he could return to the UK on 19 January.

From BBC

“Depop is on a mission to make fashion circular,” by helping to popularize secondhand fashion and drive resale culture in the U.K., the U.S.,

From Barron's

This cassette specifically targets resistance genes carried on plasmids, which are small circular DNA molecules that replicate inside bacterial cells.

From Science Daily

That saw the Catherine Street site renovated to include a new circular pathway, turfed grass areas, flower beds, accessible seating and sensory play opportunities.

From BBC

"But our re-analysis shows their conclusion is invalid because it relies on circular reasoning and violations of basic modeling assumptions."

From Science Daily