circular

UK: /ˈsɜː^rkjʊlə^r/ US: /ˈsɝkjəlɚ/ ,(sûr′kyə lər)

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

cir•cu•lar /ˈsɜrkyəlɚ/   adj. 

1. having the form of a circle; round:
   A bright, circular object suddenly appeared in the sky.
2. of or relating to a circle:
   [usually: before a noun] the circular diameter.
3. moving in or forming a circle or a circuit:
   a circular path.
4. Philosophy attempting to prove a conclusion by using a statement that depends on the conclusion:
   a circular argument.
5. [before a noun] (of a letter, etc.) intended for general circulation.

n. [countable]

6. a letter or notice intended for the public or for anyone to see:
   She posted the circular on the bulletin board.

cir•cu•lar•i•ty /ˌsɜrkyəˈlærɪti/  n. [uncountable]
cir•cu•lar•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

cir•cu•lar  (sûr′kyə lər), adj. 

1. having the form of a circle;
   round:
   a circular tower.
2. of or pertaining 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. Philosophy [Logic.] of or pertaining 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.

n. 

9. a letter, advertisement, notice, or statement for circulation among the general public.

• Latin circulāris, equivalent. to circul(us) circle + -āris -ar¹
• late Middle English 1375–1425

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

• 9. handbill, flier, leaflet.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

circular / ˈsɜːkjʊlə/ 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

circularity / ˌsɜːkjʊˈlærɪtɪ/, ˈcircularness noun

ˈcircularly adverb