circuitously

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

cir•cu•i•tous /sɚˈkyuɪtəs/   adj. 

1. going around instead of in a straight line;
   roundabout;
   not direct:
   The agent took a circuitous route back to her hotel.

cir•cu•i•tous•ly, adv. 
cir•cu•i•tous•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cir•cu•i•tous  (sər kyo̅o̅′i təs), adj. 

1. roundabout;
   not direct:
   a circuitous route; a circuitous argument.

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

cir•cu′i•tous•ly, adv. 
cir•cu′i•tous•ness, n. 
Synonyms

circular, winding, indirect, meandering.

Antonyms

straight, direct.