circuitously
circuitously — 副詞
1. by taking a longer, winding path rather than a direct one; or by expressing some
迂迴地
以繞彎路或不直接的方式
by taking a longer, winding path rather than a direct one; or by expressing something through roundabout words or steps instead of plain or straightforward ones.
The guide led us circuitously through narrow backstreets to reach the main square.
導遊帶領我們迂迴地穿過狹窄的後巷，才抵達主廣場。
adverb of manner modifying a verb of motion
Élise explained the problem circuitously, circling around the real issue without ever naming it.
Élise 迂迴地解釋問題，繞著真正癥結打轉，卻從不明說。
formal register for indirect speech
The river flows circuitously around the mountain before reaching the sea.
河流迂迴地繞過山腳，最後才注入大海。
Bao arrived at the solution circuitously, trying several wrong approaches before finding the right one.
Bao 迂迴地找到解答，試了好幾種錯誤的方法才發現正確的。
- indirectly
more general and neutral; circuitously emphasizes a noticeably winding or roundabout quality
- roundaboutly
very similar but slightly less formal
- deviously
carries a stronger negative connotation of deliberate misdirection
文法句型
modifies verb of motion or speech
用法筆記
Most commonly modifies verbs of movement (lead, travel, wander) or communication (explain, answer, describe). Frequent in narrative and formal written English.
常見錯誤
circuitously — 形容詞
- circuitouslypositive
- more circuitouslycomparative
- most circuitouslysuperlative
1. describing a route, journey, or course that is not straight, following a winding
迂迴的
路線彎曲而繞遠路的
describing a route, journey, or course that is not straight, following a winding or indirect line from one place to another.
The circuitous mountain path added three extra miles to their hike.
那條迂迴的山路讓他們的健行多走了三英里。
collocation: circuitous path
Taxis in the old city often take circuitous routes to avoid the narrow one-way streets.
舊城區的計程車常走迂迴的路線，以避開狹窄的單行道。
collocation: circuitous route
The river carves a circuitous course through the valley, forming several small islands.
河流蜿蜒穿過山谷，沿途形成了幾座小島。
Constanza took a circuitous route through the countryside to reach the coastal town.
Constanza 穿越鄉間走了一條迂迴的路線，才到達那座沿海小鎮。
The delivery truck followed a circuitous path through the industrial estate to avoid the bridge closure.
送貨卡車在工業區內繞著迂迴的路徑行駛，以避開封橋。
- winding
more common; emphasises turns and curves
- roundabout
implies a longer-than-necessary route
- meandering
suggests a gentle, relaxed course, often of rivers or paths
文法句型
circuitous + noun (route / path / course)
用法筆記
Typically describes physical paths, roads, or waterways. In travel contexts it is neutral or mildly negative (suggesting inefficiency).
常見錯誤
2. describing speech, writing, or behavior that avoids stating something directly o
拐彎抹角的
言語或行為不直接了當的
describing speech, writing, or behavior that avoids stating something directly or plainly, often by using roundabout expressions or going off on tangents.
Shirin gave a circuitous answer that never directly addressed the committee's question.
Shirin 給了一個拐彎抹角的回答，從未直接回應委員會的問題。
collocation: circuitous answer
His circuitous explanation left the students more confused than before.
他那拐彎抹角的解釋讓學生們比之前更困惑。
collocation: circuitous explanation
The politician's circuitous speech carefully avoided taking a clear position on the issue.
那位政治人物拐彎抹角的演說，小心翼翼地迴避了對該議題明確表態。
Ada offered a circuitous apology that never actually said the words 'I am sorry'.
Ada 給了一個拐彎抹角的道歉，從頭到尾都沒有說出「對不起」三個字。
The report's circuitous language made it hard to tell whether the project was on schedule.
那份報告拐彎抹角的措辭讓人難以判斷專案是否如期進行。
- indirect
more neutral; circuitous suggests a more noticeable, deliberate roundaboutness
- evasive
stronger negative implication of trying to avoid answering
- roundabout
similar but slightly less formal
- direct
straightforward and clear
- frank
honest and open, without holding back
- straightforward
easy to understand, not complicated
文法句型
circuitous + noun (answer / explanation / speech)
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly negative connotation, implying evasiveness or a lack of clarity. In formal writing it can describe reasoning that is needlessly complex.