- a completely round flat shape
- the centre/circumference/radius/diameter of a circle
- concentric circles
- a design of overlapping circles
- circle of something Cut out two circles of paper.
- Spread 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture on each circle of dough.
- the circle of light thrown by the torch
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- concentric
- …
- draw
- trace
- describe
- …
- in a/the circle
- circle of
- the area of a circle
- the circumference of a circle
- the diameter of a circle
- …
Definitions on the go
Look up any word in the dictionary offline, anytime, anywhere with the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary app.
- the line that forms the edge of a circle
- Draw a circle.
- He traced a circle in the dust with his finger.
- in a circle She walked the horse round in a circle.
- circle around somebody/something He had dark circles around his eyes from lack of sleep.
- The sharks were swimming in circles around her.
Extra Examples- He turned the car in a tight circle.
- How long does it take for the dial to rotate through a full circle?
- If you follow the road signs you will simply find yourself going round in a circle.
- The water rippled in widening circles around the fountain.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- concentric
- …
- draw
- trace
- describe
- …
- in a/the circle
- circle of
- the area of a circle
- the circumference of a circle
- the diameter of a circle
- …
- a thing or a group of people or things that is like a circle in shape
- circle of somebody/something a circle of trees/chairs
- in a circle The children stood in a circle.
- circle around somebody/something The crowd formed a circle around the two boys.
- The M25 motorway isn't quite a complete circle.
- Arrange the candles to create a circle.
Extra Examples- The children ran around the circle of chairs until the music stopped.
- The stones form a complete circle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- complete
- full
- concentric
- …
- draw
- trace
- describe
- …
- in a/the circle
- circle of
- the area of a circle
- the circumference of a circle
- the diameter of a circle
- …
- (also balcony)an upper floor of a theatre or cinema where the seats are arranged in curved rows
- We had seats in the circle.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- dress
- upper
- a group of people who are connected because they have the same interests, jobs, etc.
- Talk of religion was forbidden in the family circle.
- She's well known in theatrical circles.
- a large circle of friends
Extra Examples- While she is lauded in London intellectual circles, she is less well-known to the general public.
- He did not meet people outside his own small social circle.
- Her ideas have caused controversy in scientific circles in recent years.
- friends in government circles
- They treat anyone outside their immediate circle with suspicion.
- You need to widen your circle of friends.
- She moves in the highest social circles.
- He has a wide circle of acquaintances.
- My brother and I move in completely different circles.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- wide
- narrow
- small
- …
- have
- move in
- join
- …
- in a/the circle
- a circle of acquaintances
- a circle of admirers
- a circle of friends
- …
Word OriginOld English, from Old French cercle, from Latin circulus ‘small ring’, diminutive of circus ‘ring’.
Idioms
See circle in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee circle in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishcome, turn, etc. full circle
- to return to the situation in which you started, after a series of events or experiences
go round in circles
- to work hard at something or discuss something without making any progress
run round in circles
- (informal) to be busy doing something without achieving anything important or making progress
square the circle
- to do something that is considered to be impossible
- Marketing companies are trying to square the circle of profitability and growth with strong ethical values and sustainability.
Check pronunciation:
circle