circle

A round, flat shape whose edge is the same distance from its centre all the way around.

• Draw a circle on the paper.
• She cut three circles from the card.
• Is this shape a circle?

Similar words: rotary, roundabout

Common phrases: draw a circle, small circle, perfect circle

People or things arranged in a round line or group.

• The children formed a circle.
• We placed the chairs in a circle.
• A circle of stones surrounded the fire.

How to use it: a circle of someone/something (A circle of children stood around the teacher.)

Similar words: ring

Common phrases: form a circle, circle of chairs, sit in a circle

A route or movement that goes around and returns to where it started.

• We walked in a circle.
• The boat made a wide circle and returned.
• Are we driving in circles again?

Similar words: loop

Common phrases: in a circle, full circle, wide circle

To move around someone or something, often following a round path.

• Birds circle above the lake.
• The plane circled the airport twice.
• Wolves were circling their prey.

How to use it: circle someone/something (The birds circled the boat.); circle around someone/something (The dogs circled around their owner.)

Similar words: orbit

Common phrases: circle something, circle overhead, circle around something, circle the earth

To form a round boundary around someone or something.

• Trees circle the pond.
• A high fence circled the garden.
• Low hills circle the small town.

How to use it: circle something (A stone wall circles the village.)

Similar words: surround, encircle, enclose

Common phrases: circle the garden, circle the lake, circle something