circumlocution

American  

[sur-kuhm-loh-kyoo-shuhn] / ˌsɜr kəm loʊˈkyu ʃən /

noun

1. a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.

   Synonyms:

   prolixity, verbosity, rambling

2. a roundabout expression.

---

circumlocution British  

/ -trɪ, ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃən, ˌsɜːkəmˈlɒkjʊtərɪ /

noun

1. an indirect way of expressing something

2. an indirect expression

---

circumlocution Cultural  

1. Roundabout speech or writing: “The driveway was not unlike that military training device known as an obstacle course” is a circumlocution for “The driveway resembled an obstacle course.” Circumlocution comes from Latin words meaning “speaking around.”

---

Other Word Forms

• circumlocutional adjective
• circumlocutionary adjective
• circumlocutory adjective
• uncircumlocutory adjective

Etymology

Origin of circumlocution

1375–1425; late Middle English < Latin circumlocūtiōn- (stem of circumlocūtiō ). See circum-, locution

Example Sentences

But in terms of its actual content, the statement was pretty thin gruel, bristling with public relations-style circumlocution and vagueness.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 27, 2026

To borrow the indelible circumlocution of the New York Times, the deal is “a foul-tasting sandwich” that both parties have ultimately decided to eat—while describing it publicly as, you know, a normal sandwich.

From Slate • May 31, 2023

So what’s with all the indirection and artful circumlocution and what-the-meaning-of-is-is tightrope walking?

From Salon • May 30, 2019

For anyone else, selling an exposé as questionably founded as this would be an exercise in circumlocution, obfuscation and half-truths.

From The Guardian • Apr. 24, 2018

He shuddered at his own craven circumlocution, using so meaningless a word to obscure so hideous a truth.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor