circuitous

adjective

cir·​cu·​i·​tous (ˌ)sər-ˈkyü-ə-təs 

1

: having a circular or winding course

a circuitous route

a circuitous journey by snowmobile

2

: not being forthright or direct in language or action

a circuitous explanation

His circuitous form of logic was mind-boggling.

circuitously adverb

circuitousness noun

Did you know?

If you guessed that circuitous is related to circuit, you're right—both words come from Latin circuitus, the past participle of the verb circumire, meaning "to go around." Circumire is derived, in turn, from Latin circum, meaning "around," plus ire, which means "to go." Other circum descendants making the rounds in English include circumference ("the perimeter of a circle"), circumvent (one meaning of which is "to make a circuit around"), circumlocution ("the act of 'talking around' a subject"), and circumnavigate ("to go around"). There's also the prefix circum-, which means "around" or "about," and the familiar word circumstance, which describes a condition or event that "stands around" another.

Synonyms

• circular
• indirect
• roundabout

Examples of circuitous in a Sentence

Their logic seems a bit circuitous.

we took a circuitous route to the airport so as to avoid the massive traffic jam on the highway

Recent Examples on the Web

Virgo Rising The next month or two might amount to a bit of a homecoming for you, but finding your way back to baseline might require taking a pretty circuitous route through your family photo albums, childhood memories, and old addresses. —Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024

The results of that sampling would arrive after a delayed and circuitous route — it was posted on a public server briefly and then later published — into the hands of Western scientists. —Gabriel Spitzer, NPR, 19 Sep. 2024

Inspired by the legendary charm and elegance of such European capitals as Seville and Venice, Merrick stipulated the inclusion of circuitous byways, landscaped medians and luxuriant frondescence. —Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 9 Sep. 2024

Aubrey played professional soccer with Toronto FC before joining the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions for two seasons on his circuitous route to the NFL. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, People.com, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

perhaps from Medieval Latin circuitosus, from Latin circuitus — see circuit entry 1

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

circuitous

adjective

cir·​cu·​itous

(ˌ)sər-ˈkyü-ət-əs

1

: not saying what one means in simple and sincere language

2

: having a circular or winding course

a circuitous route

circuitously adverb

circuitousness noun