Definition of “circle” - English Dictionary

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“circle” in English

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circlenoun

uk ​ /ˈsɜː.kəl/ us ​ /ˈsɝː.kəl/

circle noun (SHAPE)

A2 [ C ] a continuous curved line, the points of which are always the same distance away from a fixed central point, or the area inside such a line:

Coloured paper was cut into circles.
We sat in a circle.

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circle noun (GROUP)

B2 [ C ] a group of people with family, work, or social connections:

The subject was never discussed outside the family circle.
She's not one of my close circle of friends.
We never meet these days - we move in different circles (= do not have the same group of friends).

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circle noun (UPPER FLOOR)

the circle [ S ] UK

› an upper floor in a theatre or cinema where people sit to watch the performance:

Shall I get seats in the circle or in the stalls?
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gallery
stall noun

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Idiom(s)

go/run round in circles
go/run around in circles

circleverb

uk ​ /ˈsɜː.kəl/ us ​ /ˈsɝː.kəl/

C2 [ I or T ] to move in a circle, often around something:

The plane circled for an hour before receiving permission to land.
Security staff circled the grounds of the house with guard dogs every hour.

B1 [ T ] to draw a circle around something:

Circle the answer you think is correct.
See also
encircle

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(Definition of “circle” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“circle” in American English

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circlenoun [ C ]

us ​ /ˈsɜr·kəl/

circle noun [ C ] (SHAPE)

› geometry a continuous curved line which is always the same distance away from a fixed central point, or the area enclosed by such a line:

Colored paper was cut into circles, squares, and triangles.
A circle of chairs had been arranged in the center of the room.

circle noun [ C ] (GROUP)

› a group of people who are connected by family, work, or society, or who share an interest:

There’s a small circle of people who sell and exhibit their work at the same shows.
The mayor’s inner circle met with him throughout the crisis to give advice.

Idiom(s)

go (around) in circles

circleverb [ I/T ]

us ​ /ˈsɜr·kəl/

circle verb [ I/T ] (SHAPE)

› fig. If you circle around a subject, you talk about things related to it, often to avoid talking about the subject itself:

[ I ] He circled around the idea of paying authors more for their books.

(Definition of “circle” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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