adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of circumspect
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin circumspectus (past participle of circumspicere “to look around”), equivalent to circum- “around, about” ( see circum-) + spec(ere) “to look” + -tus past participle suffix
Explanation
If you are circumspect, you think carefully before doing or saying anything. A good quality in someone entrusted with responsibility, though sometimes boring in a friend. The word circumspect was borrowed from Latin circumspectus, from circumspicere, "to be cautious." The basic meaning of Latin circumspicere is "to look around." Near synonyms are prudent and cautious, though circumspect implies a careful consideration of all circumstances and a desire to avoid mistakes and bad consequences.
Vocabulary lists containing circumspect
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Grade 11, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Teams are always circumspect about doing anything too exotic during the preseason, lest they give regular-season opponents something to study.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
Members of Congress are expected to question Warsh about his plans to reduce inflation, though he is likely to be circumspect in his answers.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 12, 2026
However, recent data pointing to a sharp slowdown in economic growth has prompted some to grow more circumspect.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026
On the streets of Beijing this week, locals were circumspect about a visit from the US president.
From Barron's ● Mar. 20, 2026
These circumspect words produced a scientific earthquake, for what Rutherford described was the first artificial splitting of the atom.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
