cycle
21 synonyms and 0 antonyms for cycle, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A series of events that repeats itself in the same order.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use cycle
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Late Latin cyclus, from Ancient Greek kuklos ("circle"), from a very old Indo-European word for "wheel" — the same root that ultimately gives us "wheel" itself.
Full origin of cycle →Frequently asked questions
What does “cycle” mean?
The word “cycle” means a series of events that repeats itself in the same order. In plain terms, a repeating sequence of events (like the seasons or a washing-machine program), or, informally, a bicycle.
How do you pronounce “cycle”?
“Cycle” is pronounced SEYE-kuhl (/ˈsaɪ.kəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “cycle” in a sentence?
Here is “cycle” used in a sentence: “The economy moves through cycles of growth and recession.”
What part of speech is “cycle”?
Depending on how it is used, “cycle” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cycle” come from?
The word “cycle” comes from Ancient Greek. From Late Latin cyclus, from Ancient Greek kuklos ("circle"), from a very old Indo-European word for "wheel" — the same root that ultimately gives us "wheel" itself.
Is “cycle” a common word?
“Cycle” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “cycle” have?
“Cycle” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a series of events that repeats itself in the same order.
What is the difference between a cycle and a loop?
Both repeat, but a cycle is a series of distinct stages that return to the start in a set order, like the seasons. A loop simply repeats the same action or path over and over. A cycle implies progression through phases before coming round again, while a loop can be plain repetition.
What are the types of cycle?
Cycles appear across nature and daily life: natural ones like the water cycle, the seasons, and the life cycle of a plant; economic ones like boom-and-bust cycles; and mechanical ones like an engine or wash cycle. What unites them is a fixed sequence of events that comes round again in the same order.
What is an example of a cycle?
The water cycle is a classic example: water evaporates, forms clouds, falls as rain, collects in rivers and seas, then evaporates again, repeating endlessly in the same order. Other everyday examples include the day-night cycle, the seasons, and the life cycle of birth, growth, and reproduction.