circle

circle

noun

Definition of CIRCLE

1

something with a perfectly round circumference <a circle of columns surrounds the memorial to the fallen heroes>

Synonyms cirque, ring, round, roundel

Related Words circlet, ringlet; ellipse, loop, oval; ball, globe, orb, sphere

2

a circular strip <a decorative circle of silver on the rim of the commemorative plate for their 25th wedding anniversary>

Synonyms band, circle, eye, hoop, loop, round

Related Words belt, cincture, collar, girdle; wreath; annulet, becket, coil, curl, furl, hank, spiral, spire, twirl, whorl

3

a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially <got together with her social circle once a week>

Synonyms body, bunch, circle, clan, clique, community, coterie, coven, crowd, fold, galère, klatch (also klatsch), lot, network, pack, ring, set

Related Words charmed circle, elite, in-group; closed shop; club, college, fellowship, guild (also gild), league, organization, society; camp, faction, sect, side, tribe; mess, squad; brotherhood, fraternity, order, sisterhood, sodality, sorority; commune; alliance, bloc, coalition, confederation, congress, council, federation, union

Near Antonyms loner; individualist

4

a series of events or actions that repeat themselves regularly and in the same order <with the birth of a child coming so soon after the death of a grandparent, we were once again reminded of the circle of life>

Synonyms circle, merry-go-round, round, wheel, zodiac

Related Words pattern, syndrome; course, development, progression, run; beat, circuit, loop, ring; rotation, revolution, turn, turnover; chain, sequence, series, string, succession, train

5

a region of activity, knowledge, or influence <that lies outside the circle of our investigation>

Synonyms area, arena, bailiwick, barony, business, circle, demesne, department, discipline, domain, element, fief, fiefdom, firmament, front, game, kingdom, line, precinct, province, realm, specialty, sphere, terrain, walk

Related Words frontier; study, subject; territory, turf; occupation, profession, pursuit, racket, vocation; ambit, amplitude, breadth, compass, confine, dimension(s), extent, ken, reach, scope, sweep, width; subfield, subspecialty