circular

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Shaped like a circle; round.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after a linking verb: a circular table; the table is circular.

   Patterns

   • a circular object
   • something is circular

   The dining table is circular, so everyone can see each other.

   She drew a circular shape on the board.

   The building has a circular courtyard in the middle.

2. 2nouncountable

   A printed notice or advertisement sent to many people at once.

   Grammar: Countable: one circular, two circulars. Often used in business contexts.

   Patterns

   • send out a circular
   • receive a circular

   The store sent a circular to all its customers about the sale.

   I found the supermarket circular in the mailbox.

   The company mailed a circular announcing the new product.

3. 3adjectivenot comparable

   Describing a journey or route that goes around and returns to where it started.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: a circular route, a circular walk.

   Patterns

   • a circular route
   • a circular walk

   We took a circular route through the park and ended up back at the gate.

   The bus follows a circular route around the city center.

   They went on a circular walk in the countryside.

4. 4adjectivenot comparabledisapproving

   Of an argument or reasoning: using a conclusion as a reason for itself, so it proves nothing.

   Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'circular argument' or 'circular reasoning'.

   Patterns

   • circular argument
   • circular reasoning

   His explanation was circular: he said it was true because it was true.

   The report's reasoning is circular and doesn't convince anyone.

   Avoid circular arguments in your essay.

Word forms

Common combinations

circular argument

The debate turned into a circular argument with no clear point.

circular route

This circular route takes about two hours to walk.

send out a circular

The school sent out a circular about the new timetable.

circular table

We ate dinner at a large circular table.

circular reasoning

The essay was criticized for its circular reasoning.

Synonyms and how they differ

round

More general and common than 'circular'; can describe anything with a round shape, not just a perfect circle.

handbill

A small printed advertisement given by hand, while a circular is usually mailed or distributed widely.

flyer

A small sheet of paper advertising something, often handed out in the street; a circular is often more formal and sent by mail.

Opposites

Word family

circle noun

A perfectly round shape; the base word from which 'circular' comes.

circularly adverb

In a circular way; often used of reasoning that goes in circles.

circulate verb

To move around a system or among people; related in meaning to 'circular' as a route.

Commonly confused: circular or circle?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “circular”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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