1 circuitous | Definition of circuitous
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

circuitous

adjective
cir·​cu·​i·​tous | \ (ËŒ)sÉ™r-ˈkyü-É™-tÉ™s How to pronounce circuitous (audio) \

Definition of circuitous

1 : having a circular or winding course a circuitous route a circuitous journey by snowmobile
2 : not being forthright or direct in language or action a circuitous explanation His circuitous form of logic was mind-boggling.
Other Words from circuitous Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about circuitous

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from circuitous

circuitously adverb
circuitousness noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for circuitous

Synonyms

circular, indirect, roundabout

Antonyms

direct, straight, straightforward

Visit the Thesaurus for More 

Did You Know?

If you guessed that "circuitous" is related to "circuit," you're right - both words come from Latin circuitus, the past participle of the verb circumire, meaning "to go around." "Circumire" is derived in turn from Latin circum, meaning "around," plus "ire," which means "to go." Other "circum" descendants making the rounds in English include "circumference" ("the perimeter of a circle"), "circumvent" (one meaning of which is "to make a circuit around"), "circumlocution" (the act of "talking around" a subject), and "circumnavigate" ("to go around"). There's also the prefix circum-, which means "around" or "about," and the familiar word circumstance, which describes a condition or event that "stands around" another.

Examples of circuitous in a Sentence

Their logic seems a bit circuitous. we took a circuitous route to the airport so as to avoid the massive traffic jam on the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

 Under DIA’s iconic tented roof, just getting from the south end of the main floor, where security is often choked, to the less-busy north security area has required a circuitous route. — Jon Murray, The Denver Post, "Denver airport travelers will be navigating terminal mess for a while," 19 Aug. 2019 His circuitous journey to the NFL has been chronicled. — David Woods, Indianapolis Star, "Colts have not given up on Krishawn Hogan, and he has not given up on himself," 5 Aug. 2019 The supertanker had apparently made a circuitous journey from Iran around the Cape of Good Hope in Africa to the Mediterranean to avoid traversing the Suez Canal, the route previously taken by tankers sailing between Iran and Syria. — Washington Post, "British marines seize tanker suspected of carrying Iranian oil bound for Syria," 4 July 2019 It's been a circuitous journey to the NFL for Robinson. — Aaron Wilson, Houston Chronicle, "Ex-basketball player Jevoni Robinson makes NFL bid with Texans," 10 May 2018 In order to save fuel, India is using a circuitous route relying on the slingshot effect of the Earth's gravity. — John Bacon, USA TODAY, "India launches 'historic' flight bound for the moon," 22 July 2019 An alternative to a basic income The latest push for a caregiver EITC can be credited, in a circuitous way, to rising interest in basic income in Democratic-aligned tech circles. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "Parenting can be a full-time job. Activists want the tax code to treat it that way.," 15 July 2019 Spunky, who is now nearly 2 years old, came to Kukol through a circuitous route. — oregonlive.com, "The trouble with tigers in America," 13 July 2019 This was predictable, even if Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka took a strange, circuitous route to reach this point. — Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, "Kurtenbach: The real issue the Lakers present to the Warriors this summer," 28 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'circuitous.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of circuitous

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for circuitous

perhaps from Medieval Latin circuitosus, from Latin circuitus — see circuit entry 1

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for circuitous

circuitous

adjective
How to pronounce circuitous (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of circuitous

formal
: not straight, short, and direct
: not said or done simply or clearly

See the full definition for circuitous in the English Language Learners Dictionary

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on circuitous

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with circuitous

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for circuitous

Spanish Central: Translation of circuitous

Nglish: Translation of circuitous for Spanish Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!