roundabout
ROWN-duh-bowt
Roundabout (noun) means a road junction where traffic circles around a central island instead of stopping at lights. Example: “Take the third exit at the roundabout.”
noun
1
A road junction where traffic circles around a central island instead of stopping at lights.
"Take the third exit at the roundabout."
"UK drivers navigate roundabouts far more often than Americans do."
2
A spinning platform in a playground that children ride on.
"The kids begged to be pushed faster on the roundabout."
adjective
1
Indirect or longer than necessary; not going straight to the point.
"He gave a roundabout answer instead of just saying no."
"We took a roundabout route to avoid the traffic jam."
How to use roundabout
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the traffic circle/playground ride, or (as an adjective) indirect and not straightforward.
UK vs US
In American English, the traffic version is usually called a "traffic circle" or "rotary"; "roundabout" for road junctions is mainly British.
Common pairings
roundabout way
take the roundabout
a roundabout answer
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Word forms
- Plural
- roundabouts
- Third person singular
- roundabouts
- Past tense
- roundabouted
- Comparative
- more roundabout
- Superlative
- most roundabout
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Take the third exit at the _____.
Etymology
From round + about, describing something that goes around rather than straight through.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for roundabout
See all rhymes for 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.
