round·about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t 
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness
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
Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
This monologue on housing theory was a roundabout way of explaining a photo of Censori with her mother, aunt, and sister, in which Censori looks like the daughter of a Real Housewife of New Jersey, with a clementine tan and leopard-print bustier.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Plenty of the young staff are from roundabouts and can share their knowledge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
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
And in some strange, roundabout way, the experience might wind up making USC and its star freshman much better in the long run.
—Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
This monologue on housing theory was a roundabout way of explaining a photo of Censori with her mother, aunt, and sister, in which Censori looks like the daughter of a Real Housewife of New Jersey, with a clementine tan and leopard-print bustier.
—Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Four roundabouts are planned for the Emerson Avenue overhaul in Beech Grove.
—Joe Mutascio, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
Plenty of the young staff are from roundabouts and can share their knowledge.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for roundabout
Cite this Entry
“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
