circular

/ˈsɜːkjələ(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɜːrkjələr/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsər-kyə-lər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsɜː.kjə.lər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɝː.kjə.lɚ/ (ame, ipa)

circular — 形容詞

  • circularpositive
  • more circularcomparative
  • most circularsuperlative

1. having a shape like a ring or a curved line where every point is the same distan

1.形容詞B2
釋義

圓形的

呈圓圈形狀的

having a shape like a ring or a curved line where every point is the same distance from the centre

例句

The children sat in a circular arrangement on the classroom floor.

孩子們在教室地板上坐成一個圓形排列。

collocation: circular arrangement / circular seating

Aiko wore a beautiful circular brooch that her grandmother had given her.

Aiko 戴了一個漂亮的圓形胸針，是她祖母送給她的。

同義詞
  • round

    more general and informal; used for any curved shape without corners

  • ring-shaped

    specifically describes a circle with a hole in the middle

  • curved

    broader meaning; describes any bending line, not necessarily forming a full circle

反義詞
  • square

    having four straight sides and four right angles

  • straight

    not curved or bent

文法句型

circular + noun

be + circular

用法筆記

This sense is the most common use of the word. When used predicatively (be + circular), it describes the overall shape of an object rather than a specific circular part of it.

常見錯誤

❌She drew a circle shape on the board.
✅She drew a circular shape on the board.
💡'Circular' is the adjective form; 'circle' is a noun.

2. following a round path or route that brings something or someone back to the sta

2.形容詞B1
釋義

環形的

沿圓形路線移動的

following a round path or route that brings something or someone back to the starting point

例句

The dancers performed a smooth circular movement across the stage.

舞者在舞台上做出流暢的環形動作。

collocation: circular movement / circular motion

Traffic in the city centre follows a circular route that passes the main landmarks.

市中心的行車路線是環形的，經過各大主要地標。

同義詞
  • winding

    describes a curving path that turns frequently, not necessarily forming a full circle

  • rotating

    describes something that turns around a central point or axis

  • orbital

    more technical; describes movement around a central body, especially in astronomy

反義詞
  • straight

    moving in one direction without turning

文法句型

circular + noun (describing motion/route)

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (ROUND SHAPE): this sense describes motion or direction, not the static shape of an object. The noun it modifies is typically a movement word (motion, route, path, pattern).

3. describing a type of thinking or argument where the starting assumption and the

3.形容詞C2
釋義

循環論證的

論證繞回起點而無進展的

describing a type of thinking or argument where the starting assumption and the final claim are the same thing, so the reasoning never moves forward

例句

Wen's argument was circular — she said the plan would succeed because it was the best option, and vice versa.

Wen 的論點是循環論證的——她說這個計畫會成功是因為它是最好的選擇，反過來也一樣。

circular argument / circular reasoning — standard term for this logical fallacy

The professor pointed out that the essay contained circular logic that proved nothing new.

教授指出這篇論文含有循環邏輯，根本沒有證明任何新內容。

同義詞
  • illogical

    broader; describes any argument that does not follow valid reasoning, not just circular ones

  • self-referential

    describes a statement that refers to itself, often in a way that makes it impossible to verify

  • tautological

    more technical; describes a statement that is true by definition and adds no new information

反義詞
  • logical

    following clear, valid reasoning with proper evidence

  • linear

    progressing step by step from premise to conclusion in a straight line of reasoning

文法句型

circular + noun (argument/reasoning/logic)

be + circular

用法筆記

Only this sense of 'circular' is used in formal, academic, or logical contexts. Frequently paired with 'argument', 'reasoning', 'logic', or 'explanation'. Distinguished from sense 1 and 2 by its abstract, non-physical meaning.

常見錯誤

❌The road has a circular argument.' (confusing physical and logical senses).
✅The road follows a circular route.' / 'The essay contains a circular argument.
💡The physical sense uses route/path; the logical sense uses argument/reasoning.

4. (of a letter, announcement, or message) created for distribution to a wide audie

4.形容詞B2
釋義

通發的

同時發送給大量讀者的

(of a letter, announcement, or message) created for distribution to a wide audience at the same time

例句

The school sent a circular letter to all parents about the upcoming sports day.

學校向所有家長發了一封通發信函，通知即將到來的運動會。

collocation: circular letter / circular notice

Priya received a circular email from the company about the new holiday schedule.

Priya 收到公司發來的一封通發電子郵件，通知新的休假安排。

同義詞
  • mass

    used similarly before 'email' or 'mailing' to indicate sending to many recipients

  • broadcast

    emphasises sending the same message to all recipients at once, especially electronically

  • bulk

    suggests a large quantity, especially in postal mailing contexts

反義詞
  • personal

    addressed or intended for one specific person

  • private

    not meant for wide distribution or public knowledge

文法句型

circular + noun (letter/email/notice/announcement)

用法筆記

This sense always appears before a noun — it is not used predicatively. The modifier 'circular' here does not relate to shape or motion; it signals wide distribution. Common in workplace, school, and government communication.

circular — 名詞