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

So far this year, there have been 37 crashes at the roundabout — three times more than there were in 2021. — Rose Evans august 16, Idaho Statesman, 16 Aug. 2026

McDonnell would twist the story later, according to Walker and others, claiming her sister had been held for ransom and murdered, ostensibly as a roundabout way to signal evidence of her family’s fortune. — Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Noun

Now, drivers entering from Amity will have the option to turn right onto Eagle or enter the roundabout and continue through the intersection. — Rose Evans august 16, Idaho Statesman, 16 Aug. 2026

Its system also still needs assistance in certain locations, such as roundabouts. — Michael Wayland, CNBC, 15 Aug. 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