roundabout

1 of 2

adjective

round·​about ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 

: 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

: rotary sense 2

Synonyms of roundabout

Adjective

• indirect
• circular
• twisting
• winding

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

Adjective

BepiColombo already has traveled more than 6 billion miles on its roundabout route, according to Martinez. — Marcia Dunn, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

The county’s first roundabout, at the intersection of Tienken, Runyon and Washington roads on the Rochester/Rochester Hills border, was very controversial, Bryson recalled. — Susan Bromley, Freep.com, 28 Aug. 2026

Noun

The turning-lane design — as well as a new roundabout just down the road at Boise Avenue — could reduce crashes by 31%, according to the appeal. — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026

Even among the worldliest of us, an unexpected roundabout can trigger a fireworks-and-bald-eagles display of patriotic rage. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 2 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for roundabout

• runabout
• sauerkraut
• thereabout
• turnabout
• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout

Kids Definition

roundabout

adjective

round·​about

ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t

: not direct

went a roundabout way