family circle
Americannoun
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the closely related members of a family as a group.
-
a section in a theater containing less expensive seats, as the topmost gallery.
noun
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members of a family regarded as a closed group
-
the cheap seating area in a theatre behind or above the dress circle
Etymology
Origin of family circle
First recorded in 1800–10
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 Irish FA said it sends "sincere condolences to Willie's family circle at this sad time".
From BBC ● Oct. 5, 2025
“Even though we knew that the family circumstances were challenging, we didn’t want to take him out of the family circle because they have a very close-knit family,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2022
And, within the logic of Matisse’s art at that moment, he absolutely needed to base his nude on Marguerite, rather than on some model brought in from outside the family circle.
From New York Times ● Aug. 26, 2022
She’s made spending time with her family circle a priority, and lived with her mom in Chicago during the pandemic and until her final days.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 29, 2022
I was warned emphatically to forget what he had said and, indeed, this is the first time it has been mentioned outside the family circle.
From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison
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.
