circumlocution

IPA/ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃn/
IPA/ˌsɜːrkəmləˈkjuːʃn/

circumlocution — noun

  • circumlocutionsingular
  • circumlocutionsplural

1. the use of many words to avoid stating something directly, especially when the t

1.名詞C1
釋義

the use of many words to avoid stating something directly, especially when the topic is awkward or uncomfortable

例句

The minister's circumlocution hid the fact that the project had already failed.

possessive: circumlocution + hides/conceals unpleasant truth

Noor used circumlocution to avoid telling her children about the divorce.

used + circumlocution + to-infinitive (purpose)

同義詞
  • periphrasis

    a more technical, literary term for the same idea; rarely used outside academic writing

  • beating around the bush

    an informal conversational phrase with the same meaning; cannot replace circumlocution in formal contexts

  • indirectness

    a broader quality that includes hints and non-verbal signals; does not imply excessive wording

反義詞
  • directness

    the quality of saying exactly what you mean without evasion

  • conciseness

    using only the words needed, without padding or evasion

文法句型

engage in circumlocution (uncountable)

a circumlocution (countable instance)

用法筆記

Can be used as an uncountable noun for the general practice (political circumlocution) or as a countable noun for a single instance (a circumlocution). Typically formal; rare in everyday conversation.

常見錯誤

❌He used a circumlocution to soften the bad news.' (when you mean a gentler replacement word).
✅He used a euphemism to soften the bad news.
💡a euphemism swaps one word for a softer one; circumlocution means using many words to dodge the topic entirely.
❌The circumlocution of his essay made it hard to read.' (when you mean needless wordiness).
✅The verbosity of his essay made it hard to read.
💡verbosity is simply using too many words; circumlocution implies deliberately avoiding the point.