roundabout

1 of 2

adjective

round·​about ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce roundabout (audio)
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness noun

roundabout

2 of 2

noun

1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British : merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4

Examples of roundabout in a Sentence

Adjective He took a roundabout route to town. In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In 2020, the Supreme Court — in a roundabout way — ended the confusion by refusing to consider an appellate ruling that validated special taxes proposed by initiative and approved by simple majorities. Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Oct. 2025 Multiverse’s founders came to AI in a roundabout way. Vivienne Walt, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Students can play in the traffic garden during recess or in gym class, to have fun but also learn to ride bikes safely or skate safely around intersections and roundabouts. Elizabeth B. Kim, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2025 The Ocean Beach Planning Board took the first of 17 steps required to install artwork on OB’s sole roundabout at the intersection of Bacon Street and West Point Loma Boulevard. Steven Mihailovich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for roundabout

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roundabout was in 1608

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

roundabout

adjective
round·​about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t
: not direct
went a roundabout way

More from Merriam-Webster on roundabout

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