noun
circle
SUR-kuhl
noun
1
A perfectly round, flat shape where every point on the edge is the same distance from the centre.
"She drew a circle around the correct answer."
2
A group of people connected by friendship, interest, or social standing.
"He moved in influential political circles."
"She has a small but close circle of friends."
verb
1
To move in a curved path around something, or to draw a ring around it.
"The hawk circled slowly above the field."
"Please circle your final answer."
How to Use Circle
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe round shape, or a group of people someone associates with, or the act of moving/marking in a ring.
Common pairings
circle of friends
draw a circle
circle back
Word Forms
circled past tense, Circles plural, circles singular
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She drew a _____ around the correct answer.
Etymology
From Old French cercle and Latin circulus, a diminutive of circus ("ring"), itself from Greek kirkos.