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roundabout

7 synonyms and 0 antonyms for roundabout, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A road junction where traffic circles around a central island instead of stopping at lights.

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.

carousel carrousel whirligig traffic circle merry-go-round

How to use roundabout

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

roundabout way take the roundabout a roundabout answer

Etymology

From round + about, describing something that goes around rather than straight through.

Full origin of roundabout →

Frequently asked questions

What does “roundabout” mean?

The word “roundabout” means a road junction where traffic circles around a central island instead of stopping at lights. In plain terms, either the traffic circle/playground ride, or (as an adjective) indirect and not straightforward.

How do you pronounce “roundabout”?

“Roundabout” is pronounced ROWN-duh-bowt (/ˈɹaʊndəˌbaʊt/ in IPA).

How do you use “roundabout” in a sentence?

Here is “roundabout” used in a sentence: “Take the third exit at the roundabout.”

What part of speech is “roundabout”?

Depending on how it is used, “roundabout” can be a noun and an adjective.

Is “roundabout” a common word?

“Roundabout” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

How many meanings does “roundabout” have?

“Roundabout” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a road junction where traffic circles around a central island instead of stopping at lights.

Related words

swings and roundabouts

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Nearby words

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Synonyms and antonyms from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA.