roundabout
roundabout
AdjectiveNoun
As an adjective, this word describes a deliberate avoidance of directness. It often carries a slightly negative or suspicious connotation, suggesting that someone is being evasive or overly cautious to hide the truth or avoid conflict.
As a noun, the term refers to a specific traffic engineering structure. In British English, it is the standard term for a circular intersection, whereas in American English, "traffic circle" or "rotary" is more common.
Meanings
Adjectiveroundabout
[~ way][~ method]
Not following a direct course or using a direct method of expression.
He took a roundabout route to avoid the city center.
Adjectiveroundabout
[~ way][~ method]
Indirect or circuitous in speech or writing, often to avoid being blunt or offensive.
She gave a roundabout answer to the question to avoid hurting his feelings.
Related Words
indirectcircuitousobliqueevasivecircularrotarydirectstraightforwardlinearexplicitcirclecurvedetourloopintersectionjunctiontrafficroadstreethighwaylaneexitentranceislandcurbsignagenavigationroutepathdirectionturnclockwisecounterclockwisecircumferenceradiusdiameterarcorbitspiraldeviationcircumlocutionperiphrasisambiguitynuancesubtletyeuphemismdigressiontangentwindingmeanderingtortuouslabyrinthmazeconvolutionbypasstraffic lightstop signcrossroadcul de sacpavementasphaltinfrastructureurban planningcommutevehicledriversteering wheelmaneuver