roundabout

1 of 2

adjective

round·​about ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce roundabout (audio)
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness noun

roundabout

2 of 2

noun

1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British : merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4

Examples of roundabout in a Sentence

Adjective He took a roundabout route to town. In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
In a roundabout way, Mitchell was also responsible for Byrne’s enduring love of and involvement with Renaissance Fairs. John Russell, People.com, 2 Jan. 2025 Hamilton County officials said the roundabout and bridge project at 146th Street and Allisonville Road is on time and under budget and is scheduled to be finished in the summer of 2025. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 30 Dec. 2024
Noun
The hushed folk tunes of Sudanese Canadian singer-songwriter Mustafa sit at a philosophical roundabout joining familial obligations, faith journeys, and inner-city struggles. Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Dec. 2024 Sporadic celebratory gunfire was heard at a main roundabout in the city, as drivers honked their horns and residents cheered. Bassem Mroue, arkansasonline.com, 28 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for roundabout 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roundabout was in 1608

Dictionary Entries Near roundabout

Cite this Entry

“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

roundabout

adjective
round·​about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t
: not direct
went a roundabout way

More from Merriam-Webster on roundabout

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