circuitous

[ ser-kyoo-i-tuhs ]

adjective

1. roundabout; not direct:

   a circuitous route; a circuitous argument.

   Synonyms: indirect, winding, circular

   Antonyms: direct, straight

circuitous

/ səˈkjuːɪtəs /

adjective

1. indirect and lengthy; roundabout

   a circuitous route

Derived Forms

• cirˈcuitously, adverb
• cirˈcuitousness, noun

Other Words From

• cir·cui·tous·ly adverb
• cir·cui·tous·ness noun
• noncir·cui·tous adjective
• noncir·cui·tous·ly adverb
• noncir·cui·tous·ness noun
• uncir·cui·tous adjective
• uncir·cui·tous·ly adverb
• uncir·cui·tous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of circuitous¹

1655–65; < Medieval Latin circuitōsus, equivalent to circuit ( us ) circuit + -ōsus -ous

Example Sentences

In formal employment outside of gig work where certain rights are guaranteed, the process likely looks a bit more circuitous.

From Slate

For example, Adams was so reliant on the cheap flights and free business-class upgrades provided to him that he ended up on some wildly circuitous itineraries.

From Slate

The road to screenwriting and fiction writing has been circuitous for the new author, who graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in film and theater and moved to Los Angeles with the intention of acting.

From Los Angeles Times

That means long, circuitous routes that require students to be outside at the crack of dawn for an hourlong ride that could be done in 15 minutes in a parent’s air-conditioned car.

From Slate

Yet Maiava’s journey already had been more circuitous than most.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• devious
• labyrinthine
• meandering
• rambling
• tortuous