Circumlocute

Pronunciation: /ˌsɜːrkəmˈloʊˌkjuːt/

Definitions of circumlocute

verb to speak or write in a roundabout way; to use many words when fewer would do; to avoid being direct or concise

Example Sentences

A1 She tends to circumlocute when she doesn't know the answer.

A2 The student tried to circumlocute his way out of giving a direct answer.

B1 It's important to avoid circumlocuting during presentations to keep the audience engaged.

B2 The politician was known for his ability to circumlocute around difficult questions.

C1 The professor's tendency to circumlocute made it difficult for students to follow his lectures.

C2 The lawyer's skillful circumlocution allowed him to avoid giving a direct answer in court.

Examples of circumlocute in a Sentence

formal The politician tends to circumlocute his answers in order to avoid directly addressing the question.

informal Just get to the point and stop circumlocuting!

slang He's always beating around the bush and circumlocuting.

figurative Her words circled around the truth, like a bird circling its prey, never quite landing on it.

Grammatical Forms of circumlocute

• past tense: circumlocuted
• plural: circumlocutes
• comparative: more circumlocute
• superlative: most circumlocute
• present tense: circumlocutes
• future tense: will circumlocute
• perfect tense: has circumlocuted
• continuous tense: is circumlocuting
• singular: circumlocute
• positive degree: circumlocute
• infinitive: to circumlocute
• gerund: circumlocuting
• participle: circumlocuting

Origin and Evolution of circumlocute

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Latin

Story behind the word: The word 'circumlocute' originates from the Latin word 'circumlocutus', which means to speak in a roundabout way.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'circumlocute' has come to be used to describe the act of speaking or writing in a verbose or indirect manner, often to avoid being direct or clear in communication.