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

Randolph in his own roundabout way had come over to support ratification, so he needed to counter Masons apprehensions about slavery.

From Literature

We are currently on a very roundabout journey to District 13.

From Literature

The mulefa had no term for climb, so Mary had to do a lot of gesturing and roundabout explaining.

From Literature

“In a roundabout way. There’s a reason I stopped organizing. Stopped going to rallies. Just got lost in work and you.”

From Literature

“It is well known in the country roundabout that he is a gracious master and a noble knight,” said John.

From Literature