adjective
Other Word Forms
- circumspection noun
- circumspective adjective
- circumspectly adverb
- circumspectness noun
- noncircumspect adjective
- noncircumspectness noun
- overcircumspect adjective
- uncircumspect adjective
- uncircumspectness noun
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” ( circum- ) + spec(ere) “to look” + -tus past participle suffix
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.
"We are still being very circumspect," the Pakistan source told the BBC, saying that there was a "continued fragility" to the situation.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
On the streets of Beijing this week, locals were circumspect about a visit from the US president.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
The meeting’s agenda for the closed session was circumspect: “Conference with Legal Counsel — Settlement Agreement.”
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 19, 2025
Asked about the NYPD’s future under Mayor Mamdani, Mr. Harkins is circumspect.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
He became more circumspect in his work as a result of the visit from the second C.I.D. man.
From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller
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.
