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

He was referred to the South Yorkshire youth homelessness charity Roundabout, which assigned him a flat - in which he still lives - and gave him access to a counselling service.

From BBC • Dec. 23, 2025

Ashley, who has been named artistic director of Roundabout Theatre Company, leaves his post at the end of the year.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

This Roundabout Theatre Company production with Deaf West Theatre was directed by Jeff Calhoun, who became a crucial mentor.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2025

Atlas Biomed's registered office is near London's so-called Silicon Roundabout, one of the prime locations in the UK for tech firms.

From BBC • Nov. 8, 2024

The Saturn Rings Roundabout Motel was located beneath an overpass on Route 22.

From "Shelter (Book One): A Mickey Bolitar Novel" by Harlan Coben