circular

[ sur-kyuh-ler ]

adjective

1. having the form of a circle; round:

   a circular tower.

2. of or relating to a circle:

   a circular plane.

3. moving in or forming a circle or a circuit:

   the circular rotation of the earth.

4. moving or occurring in a cycle or round:

   the circular succession of the seasons.

5. roundabout; indirect; circuitous:

   a circular route.

6. Logic. of or relating to reasoning in which the conclusion is ostensibly proved, but in actuality it or its equivalent has been assumed as a premise.
7. pertaining to a circle or set of persons.
8. (of a letter, memorandum, etc.) addressed to a number of persons or intended for general circulation.

noun

1. Also circ []. a letter, advertisement, notice, or statement for circulation among the general public.

   Synonyms: leaflet, flier, handbill

circular

/ ˈsɜːkjʊlə; ˌsɜːkjʊˈlærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, involving, resembling, or shaped like a circle
2. circuitous
3. (of arguments) futile because the truth of the premises cannot be established independently of the conclusion
4. travelling or occurring in a cycle
5. (of letters, announcements, etc) intended for general distribution

noun

1. a printed or duplicated advertisement or notice for mass distribution

Derived Forms

• circularity, noun
• ˈcircularly, adverb

Other Words From

• cir·cu·lar·i·ty [sur-ky, uh, -, lar, -i-tee], cir·cu·lar·ness noun
• cir·cu·lar·ly adverb
• non·cir·cu·lar adjective
• non·cir·cu·lar·ly adverb
• sub·cir·cu·lar adjective
• sub·cir·cu·lar·ly adverb
• un·cir·cu·lar adjective
• un·cir·cu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of circular¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin circulāris, equivalent to circul(us), circlus “a circular form or figure; a ring or circle” + -āris adjective suffix; circle, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

Seeking to create a circular economy for plastic recycling, Stache and a team of researchers took advantage of something already found in black polystyrene waste -- an additive known as carbon black.

From Science Daily

At one point, between his long runs, he glanced up at the circular video board to watch a replay of his carry.

From Los Angeles Times

It looked to be a circular village with a yellow brick road going into it and then back out.

From BBC

They could thereby assemble the chlorophyll molecules into two different forms, namely columnar stacks and discrete aggregates, mimicking the circular and tubular arrangements seen in photosynthetic bacteria.

From Science Daily

"I think actual recycling of the tire itself is important, so there are truly circular solutions that are doing upcycling," he said.

From Science Daily