circle

noun countable

UK /ˈsɜː(r)k(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	circle
plural	circles

1
a round shape consisting of a curved line that completely encloses a space and is the same distance from the centre at every point. Something in the shape of a circle is circular
a mathematical calculation to find out the radius of a circle
circle of:
Cut out a circle of paper.
Synonyms and related words
Rounded and circular shapes
ball
balloon
band
1. 1a
  a group of people or things arranged in a circle
  circle of:
  a circle of stones
  in a circle:
  The dancers were standing in a circle around the fire.
  form a circle:
  Now I’d like you to form a circle and hold hands.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things arranged in a particular way
  chain
  circle
  formation
2
a group of people who know one another or are related to one another
circle of:
They have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
a social circle:
I soon became a member of her social circle.
family circle:
He now felt he was a member of the family circle.
Synonyms and related words
General words for groups of people
age group
array
assemblage
1. 2a
  usually plurala group of people who are interested in the same things or who have the same profession
  scientific/academic/literary circles:
  He began to move in the scientific circles centred round Sir Charles Cavendish.
  political/financial/business circles:
  The bank’s failure sent shock waves through international financial circles.
  Synonyms and related words
  Groups of people with shared interests or aims
  association
  commission
  organization
Collocates
Nouns frequently used with circle
▪ acquaintances, admirers, advisers, friends

phrases

the circle

come/go/turn full circle

go around/round in circles

circle

noun countable

US /ˈsɜrk(ə)l/

Word Forms

singular	circle
plural	circles

1
a round shape consisting of a curved line that completely encloses a space and is the same distance from the center at every point. Something in the shape of a circle is circular
a mathematical calculation to find out the radius of a circle
circle of:
Cut out a circle of paper.
Synonyms and related words
Rounded and circular shapes
ball
balloon
band
1. 1a
  a group of people or things arranged in a circle
  circle of:
  a circle of stones
  in a circle:
  The dancers were standing in a circle around the fire.
  form a circle:
  Now I’d like you to form a circle and hold hands.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things arranged in a particular way
  chain
  circle
  formation
2
a group of people who know one another or are related to one another
circle of:
They have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
a social circle:
I soon became a member of her social circle.
family circle:
He now felt he was a member of the family circle.
Synonyms and related words
General words for groups of people
age group
array
assemblage
1. 2a
  usually plurala group of people who are interested in the same things or who have the same profession
  scientific/academic/literary circles:
  He began to move in the scientific circles centered around Sir Charles Cavendish.
  political/financial/business circles:
  The bank’s failure sent shock waves through international financial circles.
  Synonyms and related words
  Groups of people with shared interests or aims
  association
  commission
  organization
Collocates
Nouns frequently used with circle
▪ acquaintances, admirers, advisers, friends

phrases

come/go full circle

go around in circles

circle

verb

UK /ˈsɜː(r)k(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	circle
he/she/it	circles
present participle	circling
past tense	circled
past participle	circled

1
intransitive/transitive to move in a circle in the air
Vultures circled in slow spirals above the camp.
The plane continued to circle the airport, waiting for permission to land.
Synonyms and related words
To move in circles or twists
spin
revolve
whirl
1. 1a
  to move in a circle on the ground
  The dog circled him, barking.
  circle around:
  The two men began circling slowly around each other.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move in circles or twists
  spin
  revolve
  whirl
2
transitive to form a circle around something
Her arms circled his neck.
Synonyms and related words
To surround or put something around something
kettle
surround
enclose
3
transitive to draw a circle around something
Someone had circled the next paragraph.
Synonyms and related words
To draw, or to make a mark or pattern
draw
mark
outline
4
intransitive/transitive if people are circling, they are watching a situation and waiting for an opportunity to get something they want
Synonyms and related words
To delay action, wait or hesitate
delay
wait
hesitate
5
circle the drain
to be about to die, fail or disappear
Our economy is circling the drain and all we have is a plan to make a plan.
Doctors told me I had circled the drain for several days at Rancho Springs Hospital and doctors there thought I was going to die.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 16/02/2015
Open Dictionary - February2015

phrasal verbs

circle back

circle

verb

US /ˈsɜrk(ə)l/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	circle
he/she/it	circles
present participle	circling
past tense	circled
past participle	circled

1
transitive to draw a circle around something
Someone had circled the next paragraph in red.
Synonyms and related words
To draw, or to make a mark or pattern
mark out
draw
mark
2
intransitive/transitive to move in a circle in the air
Vultures circled in slow spirals above the camp.
The plane continued to circle the airport, waiting for permission to land.
Synonyms and related words
To move in circles or twists
spin
revolve
whirl
1. 2a
  to move in a circle on the ground
  The dog circled him, barking.
  circle around:
  The two men began circling slowly around each other.
  Synonyms and related words
  To move in circles or twists
  spin
  revolve
  whirl
3
transitive to form a circle around something
Her arms circled his neck.
Synonyms and related words
To surround or put something around something
kettle
surround
enclose
4
circle the drain
to be about to die, fail or disappear
Our economy is circling the drain and all we have is a plan to make a plan.
Doctors told me I had circled the drain for several days at Rancho Springs Hospital and doctors there thought I was going to die.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 16/02/2015
Open Dictionary - February2015

phrasal verbs

circle back

circle ​‌‌‌

circle ​‌‌‌

circle ​‌

circle the drain

circle ​‌

circle the drain

circle

circle

circle

circle