circumlocutorily
|cir-cum-lo-cu-to-ri-ly|
🇺🇸
/ˌsɝkəmˈloʊkjəˌtɔri/
🇬🇧
/ˌsɜːkəmˈlɒkjʊtəri/
(circumlocutory)
wordy and evasive
Etymology
'circumlocutorily' ultimately comes from Latin elements 'circum-' and 'loqui', where 'circum-' meant 'around' and 'loqui' meant 'to speak'; the adverb is formed from the adjective with the suffix '-ly'.
'circumlocutorily' developed via Latin ('circumloquĕre'/Medieval Latin 'circumlocutio') into English through the adjective 'circumlocutory' plus the adverbial suffix '-ly'.
Initially it meant 'speaking around (an issue)' in Latin, and over time it retained that sense, evolving into the modern meaning 'in a roundabout or indirect way'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a roundabout or indirect manner; expressing something using more words than necessary to avoid being direct.
He answered circumlocutorily to avoid taking a clear position on the issue.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2026/01/09 00:47