YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

circuitous

Adjective

IPA /səˈkjuːɪtəs/

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Meaning in plain English

Following a long, indirect route rather than a straightforward one.

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Pronunciation

circuitous/səˈkjuːɪtəs/

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A short, direct route
A long route with many turns

A circuitous route reaches its destination by an indirect way.

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We took a circuitous route home to avoid the flooded road.
The report describes a circuitous journey through several regional offices.

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We took a ________ route home to avoid the flooded road.

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circuitous — Following a long, indirect route rather than a straightforward one.

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Following a long, indirect route rather than a straightforward one.

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Word origin

From medieval Latin circuitosus, related to circuitus, a way around.

Did you know?

Circuitous route and circuitous journey emphasise indirect travel.

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