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

In most clusters, gas heated to millions of degrees appears roughly circular or slightly oval in images.

From Science Daily

First, is the further expansion of what Emanuel terms the “circular AI economy.”

From MarketWatch

The front exterior today is relatively similar and easily identifiable, although the driveway is no longer circular and the landscaping has been changed.

From MarketWatch

AI infrastructure investments more circular than a dog chasing its tail?

From The Wall Street Journal

We’re a textbook example of what the EU says it wants to encourage: sustainable forestry and circular economies that keep forests as forests.

From The Wall Street Journal