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.
The meeting’s agenda for the closed session was circumspect: “Conference with Legal Counsel — Settlement Agreement.”
From Los Angeles Times
The security minister Dan Jarvis was both circumspect in his language, but warm and accepting of the wide range of concerns expressed by MPs of multiple parties.
From BBC
While publicly Kinnings is understandably cautious and circumspect about the future, the backers who lend their name to his tour are more outspoken.
From BBC
Harbour has also been circumspect about the end of the marriage.
From BBC
When asked by The Times about Pelosi and her primary challengers, however, Hogg was circumspect, calling Pelosi “one of the most effective and consequential leaders in the history of the Democratic Party.”
From Los Angeles Times
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.
