English Explanatory Dictionary

roundabout

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Indirect, circuitous, or circumlocutionary.
  2. Encircling; enveloping; comprehensive.
noun
  1. A road junction at which traffic streams circularly around a central island.
  2. A horizontal wheel which rotates around a central axis when pushed and on which children ride, often found in parks as a children's play apparatus.
  3. A fairground carousel.
  4. A detour.
  5. A short, close-fitting coat or jacket worn by men or boys, especially in the 19th century.
  6. A round dance.
verb
  1. To play on a roundabout (carousel)
  2. To travel round roundabouts
  3. To talk in a roundabout, indirect manner

Pronunciation

/ˈɹaʊndəˌbaʊt/ /ˈɹuːndəˌbuːt/ en-us-roundabout.ogg en-au-roundabout.ogg

Word forms

roundabout more roundabout most roundabout roundabouts roundabouting roundabouted

Etymology

From round + about [from early 20th c.].

Synonyms

traffic circle rotary rotunda island merry-go-round

Related words

swings and roundabouts

Derived words

roundaboutly roundaboutness balcony roundabout bicycle roundabout hamburger roundabout magic roundabout mini-roundabout mini roundabout roundabout dog spiral roundabout swings and roundabouts turbo roundabout what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts
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