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, 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

Explanation

A roundabout is an intersection that uses a circular junction instead of stoplights or stop signs to manage traffic flow. Instead of every car stopping, they enter the roundabout slowly, and traffic moves almost continuously. In the UK, an amusement park ride that moves in a circle, like a carousel, is also a roundabout, but in North America this noun almost always means what's sometimes called a "traffic circle" or a "rotary." As an adjective, roundabout describes things that aren't straightforward, but are indirect or unclear: "After his roundabout confession, I'm not even sure he realizes what he did wrong."

Example Sentences

“This is such a roundabout, long-winded way of doing a rejection,” he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

It also plans to build a new roundabout to replace the existing T-junction leading into Water Oakley Lane to provide access to the site.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

It was a more unpredictable and roundabout route than any offensive coordinator would dare draw.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026

Italian Jonathan Milan was expected to be in the frame for the stage win but crashed heavily at a roundabout 1,500m from the end.

From Barron's • Feb. 16, 2026

Martin’s shop was only a block and a half away if Moss went the quickest way, but that brought him right past Dawit’s shop, so he usually took a more roundabout route.

From "Anger Is a Gift" by Mark Oshiro