circum

IPA/sɜːkəm/
IPA/sɜːrkəm/

circum — prefix

1. a prefix borrowed from Latin meaning 'around' or 'about', used to form English w

1.字首B2
釋義

a prefix borrowed from Latin meaning 'around' or 'about', used to form English words that describe something going in a circle, surrounding something, or being cautious by looking all around.

例句

Tariq measured the circumference of the tree trunk with a long piece of string.

circumference = distance around a circle

Sumin read about the first pilot to circumnavigate the globe in a hot-air balloon.

circumnavigate = travel all the way around

同義詞
  • around

    the English preposition, used independently

  • about

    more formal or literary alternative to 'around'

  • surrounding

    focuses on the idea of enclosing

文法句型

circum- + noun/adjective/verb

用法筆記

This prefix appears in formal and academic English. Words formed with 'circum-' are often related to geometry (circumference, circumcircle), navigation (circumnavigate), law (circumstantial), and behaviour (circumspect, circumscribe). It is not a productive prefix in modern English — you cannot freely attach it to any word.

常見錯誤

❌The fence goes circum the house.
✅The fence goes around the house.
💡circum- is a prefix, not a standalone preposition. It must attach to a root word.