circular

¹cir·cu·lar

adj \ˈsər-kyə-lər\

Definition of CIRCULAR

1

a : having the form of a circle : round <a circular orbit> b : moving in or describing a circle or spiral <a circular staircase>

2

a : of or relating to a circle or its mathematical properties <a circular arc> b : having a circular base or bases <a circular cylinder>

3

: circuitous, indirect

4

: marked by or moving in a cycle

5

: being or involving reasoning that uses in the argument or proof a conclusion to be proved or one of its unproved consequences

6

: intended for circulation <a circular letter>

— cir·cu·lar·i·ty \ˌsər-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē, -ˈla-rə-\ noun

— cir·cu·lar·ly \ˈsər-kyə-lər-lē\ adverb

— cir·cu·lar·ness noun

Examples of CIRCULAR

1. That planet has a more circular orbit than our planet does.
2. <a rather circular discussion of the problem that never addresses it directly>

Origin of CIRCULAR

Middle English circuler, from Middle French, from Late Latin circularis, from Latin circulus circle

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CIRCULAR

Synonyms: circuitous, indirect, roundabout

Antonyms: direct, straight, straightforward

Related Words: crooked, curvy, serpentine, sinuous, tortuous, twisting, winding; meandering, rambling, wandering; circumlocutory, long-winded, prolix, verbose; deceitful, deceptive, devious, dishonest, duplicitous, insidious, misleading, sneaky, underhand, underhanded; calculating, crafty, cunning, subtle, tricky

Near Antonyms: candid, forthright, frank, honest, open, plain, unconcealed, undisguised

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Other Mathematics and Statistics Terms

abscissa, denominator, divisor, equilateral, exponent, hypotenuse, logarithm, oblique, radii, rhomb