circumlocutionary

English

WOTD – 1 May 2007

Etymology

From circumlocution +‎ -ary.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃənəɹi/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˌsɝːkəmləˈkjuːʃənɛɹi/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

Adjective

circumlocutionary (comparative more circumlocutionary, superlative most circumlocutionary)

1. Articulated in a roundabout manner; tautological or with repetitive language.

   The old man's rambling yarn was circumlocutionary.

2. (of speech) Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points.

Translations

articulated in a roundabout manner

Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points

• Finnish: kiertelevä (fi), ympäripyöreä (fi)
• Swedish: undanglidande