0%

circumlocutionary

cir·cum·lo·cu·tion
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [sur-kuh m-loh-kyoo-shuh n]
    • /ˌsɜr kəm loʊˈkyu ʃən/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [sur-kuh m-loh-kyoo-shuh n]
    • /ˌsɜr kəm loʊˈkyu ʃən/

Definitions of circumlocutionary word

  • noun circumlocutionary a roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea. 1
  • noun circumlocutionary a roundabout expression. 1
  • noun circumlocutionary Articulated in a roundabout manner; tautological or with repetitive language. 1
  • adjective circumlocutionary (of speech) Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points. 0
See all 4 definitions of circumlocutionary

Information block about the term

Origin of circumlocutionary

First appearance:

before 1375
One of the 22% oldest English words
1375-1425; late Middle English < Latin circumlocūtiōn- (stem of circumlocūtiō). See circum-, locution

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Circumlocutionary

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
Full grammatical hierarchy of Circumlocutionary

circumlocutionary popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 48% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.
According to our data most of word are more popular. This word is almost not used. It has a much more popular synonym.

circumlocutionary usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for circumlocutionary

adj circumlocutionary

  • pleonastic — the use of more words than are necessary to express an idea; redundancy.
  • roundabout — circuitous or indirect, as a road, journey, method, statement or person.
  • tautologous — needless repetition of an idea, especially in words other than those of the immediate context, without imparting additional force or clearness, as in “widow woman.”.
All 3 Synonyms of circumlocutionary

See also

Matching words

Was this page helpful?
Yes No
Thank you for your feedback! Tell your friends about this page
Tell us why?