roundabout

American  

[round-uh-bout, round-uh-bout, round-uh-bout] / ˌraʊnd əˈbaʊt, ˈraʊnd əˌbaʊt, ˈraʊnd əˌbaʊt /

adjective

1. circuitous or indirect, as a road, journey, method, statement or person.

   Synonyms:

   tortuous, tortuous, rambling, rambling

2. (of clothing) cut circularly at the bottom; having no tails, train, or the like.

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noun

1. a short, close-fitting coat or jacket worn by men or boys, especially in the 19th century.

2. British. a merry-go-round.

3. a circuitous or indirect road, method, etc.

4. Chiefly British. traffic circle.

roundabout British  

/ ˈraʊndəˌbaʊt /

noun

1. a revolving circular platform provided with wooden animals, seats, etc, on which people ride for amusement; merry-go-round

2. US and Canadian name: traffic circle.  a road junction in which traffic streams circulate around a central island

3. an informal name for boring mill

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adjective

1. indirect or circuitous; devious

adverb

1. on all sides

   spectators standing round about

2. approximately

   at round about 5 o'clock

Etymology

Origin of roundabout

1525–35; round ¹ (adv.) + about

Example Sentences

When it went before the council in March 2025 councillors voted against a recommendation to refuse the application for the site off the Rhydycar West roundabout, which was previously mining areas for coal and ironstone.

From BBC

John’s voice dominates, in an exaggerated baritone, featuring this edit: “As the snow lay roundabout, deep and crisp and crispy.”

From Salon

In Swansea, the Cwmbwrla roundabout was shut overnight and remains closed this morning due to flooding.

From BBC

If you are struggling, she recommends having motorway lessons and easing yourself in slowly, for example by using a short junction, travelling at a quieter time of day or practising on a small roundabout.

From BBC

So in a roundabout way, VAR protocol meant Arsenal were penalised for Taylor not getting the red card correct.

From BBC