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

Half the fun of this market is visiting the charming community of Kensington, a mini British village with its pub and roundabout. — John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 7 July 2026

His unwillingness to back Hilton drew a roundabout rebuke from California Republican Party Chair Corrin Rankin. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 26 June 2026

Noun

The $247,821 project, funded by the city’s Transportation Fund, will transform a section of downtown Roseville on the 200 block of Oak Street, between the downtown roundabout and Dry Creek, into a miniature street network. — Nicole Buss, Sacbee.com, 16 July 2026

Phase one, projected to wrap up in November, will also include the installation of sidewalks and bike lanes on both sides of Knox Road and the beginning of the roundabout at Torrence Chapel Road and Knox Road. — Laura Horne july 14, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 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