circle

UK: /ˈsɜː^rk^əl/ US: /ˈsɝkəl/ ,(sûr′kəl)

Inflections of 'circle' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

circles

v 3rd person singular

circling

v pres p

circled

v past

circled

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

cir•cle /ˈsɜrkəl/   n., v., -cled, -cling. 
n. [countable]

1. Mathematics a closed curve consisting of all the points at a given distance from the center:
   She drew a circle.
2. Mathematics the flat surface or plane made up by such a curve:
   "Somewhere in this circle is our missing submarine,'' said the general.
3. any ringlike object or arrangement:
   a circle of dancers.
4. the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.;
   realm;
   sphere:
   a wide circle of influence.
5. a number of persons joined by something in common:
   a circle of friends.

v. 

6. [~ + object] to enclose in a circle:
   Circle the correct answer.
7. to move in a circle around: [~ + object]
   The police circled the house cautiously.
   [no object]
   The squadron circled at 20,000 feet.
8. [~ + object] to bypass;
   go around;
   evade:
   The ship circled the iceberg.

Idioms

9. Idioms come full circle:
   • to find oneself back where one started:
     We'd come full circle in our tour of the city.

cir•cler, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

cir•cle  (sûr′kəl), n., v., -cled, -cling. 
n. 

1. Mathematics a closed plane curve consisting of all points at a given distance from a point within it called the center. Equation:
   x
   ² + y² = r².
2. Mathematics the portion of a plane bounded by such a curve.
3. any circular or ringlike object, formation, or arrangement:
   a circle of dancers.
4. a ring, circlet, or crown.
5. the ring of a circus.
6. Show Business a section of seats in a theater:
   dress circle.
7. the area within which something acts, exerts influence, etc.;
   realm;
   sphere:
   A politician has a wide circle of influence.
8. a series ending where it began, esp. when perpetually repeated;
   cycle:
   the circle of the year.
9. Philosophy [Logic.] an argument ostensibly proving a conclusion but actually assuming the conclusion or its equivalent as a premise;
   vicious circle.
10. a complete series forming a connected whole;
    cycle:
    the circle of the sciences.
11. a number of persons bound by a common tie;
    coterie:
    a literary circle; a family circle.
12. Government an administrative division, esp. of a province.
13. Geography, Place Names a parallel of latitude.
14. Astronomy
    • (formerly) the orbit of a heavenly body.
    • See meridian circle. 
15. Surveying a glass or metal disk mounted concentrically with the spindle of a theodolite or level and graduated so that the angle at which the alidade is set may be read.
16. a sphere or orb:
    the circle of the earth.
17. Astronomy a ring of light in the sky;
    halo.

v.t. 

18. to enclose in a circle;
    surround;
    encircle:
    Circle the correct answer on the exam paper. The enemy circled the hill.
19. to move in a circle or circuit around;
    rotate or revolve around:
    He circled the house cautiously.
20. to change course so as to pass by or avoid collision with;
    bypass;
    evade:
    The ship carefully circled the iceberg.
21. Idioms circle the wagons:
    • American History (in the early U.S. West) to form the wagons of a covered-wagon train into a circle for defensive purposes, as against Indian attack.
    • Slang Terms to prepare for an all-out, unaided defensive fight:
      The company has circled the wagons since its market share began to decline.

v.i. 

22. to move in a circle or circuit:
    The plane circled for half an hour before landing.
23. Show Business [Motion Pictures, Television.] to iris (usually fol. by in or out).

• Latin, as above
• Latin, as above; replacing Old English circul
• Old French
• Latin circulus, equivalent. to circ(us) (see circus) + -ulus -ule; replacing Middle English cercle
• bef. 1000

cir′cler, n. 
Synonyms

• 3. ring, halo, corona.
• 11. Circle, club, coterie, set, society are terms applied to restricted social groups. A circle may be a little group; in the plural it often suggests a whole section of society interested in one mode of life, occupation, etc.:
  a sewing circle; a language circle; in theatrical circles.
  Club implies an association with definite requirements for membership and fixed dues:
  an athletic club.
  Coterie suggests a little group closely and intimately associated because of congeniality:
  a literary coterie.
  Set refers to a number of persons of similar background, interests, etc., somewhat like a clique (See ring ¹) but without disapproving connotations; however, it often implies wealth or interest in social activities:
  the country club set.
  A society is a group associated to further common interests of a cultural or practical kind:
  a Humane Society.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

circle / ˈsɜːk^əl/ noun

1. a closed plane curve every point of which is equidistant from a given fixed point, the centre. Equation: (x –h)² + (y –k)²= r², where r is the radius and (h, k) are the coordinates of the centre; area πr²; circumference: 2πr
2. the figure enclosed by such a curve
3. the section of seats above the main level of the auditorium, usually comprising the dress circle and the upper circle
4. something formed or arranged in the shape of a circle
5. a group of people sharing an interest, activity, upbringing, etc; set: golf circles, a family circle
6. a domain or area of activity, interest, or influence
7. a circuit
8. a process or chain of events or parts that forms a connected whole; cycle
9. a parallel of latitude
   See also great circle, small circle
10. one of a number of Neolithic or Bronze Age rings of standing stones, such as Stonehenge, found in Europe and thought to be associated with some form of ritual or astronomical measurement
11. See striking circle
12. a circular argument
    See vicious circle2
13. come full circle ⇒ to arrive back at one's starting point
14. go round in circles, run round in circles ⇒ to engage in energetic but fruitless activity

verb

1. to move in a circle (around)
2. (transitive) to enclose in a circle; encircle

Etymology: 14th Century: from Latin circulus a circular figure, from circus ring, circle

ˈcircler noun