in the round

Idioms  

1. Visible from all sides, as in Jerry's done an excellent job in this interview, really portraying the senator in the round. This expression, which dates from about 1800, was at first used for a free-standing piece of sculpture (as opposed to a relief on a wall), and a century later for a theatrical stage (called theater-in-the-round) so placed that the audience could see a performance from all sides. Since the 1920s it has also been used figuratively for someone or something seen three-dimensionally, as in the example.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

in the round

Existing backers including Tencent, HSG and ZhenFund are considering participating in the round, some of the people said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 18, 2026

Salesforce Chief Executive Marc Benioff and hedge-fund manager Brad Gerstner are among the angel investors in the round.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026

A left uppercut later in the round dumped Joshua on the canvas again.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

He was sensationally rocked by a huge uppercut from underdog Prenga in the opening round, and then hit the canvas again later in the round.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

She walked there in the round courtyard with the Governor’s wife, who used her with great kindness, knowing the nobility of her blood.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson