circular
gb/sˈɚkjəlɚ/ us/sˈɚkjəlɚ/
A2
English
~ 7400
kör alakú, kerek, körkörös, körforgásos, zárt körfolyamatú, körlevél, reklámújság
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a circular [object]
They sat around a large circular table in the meeting room.
A tárgyalóban egy nagy kerek asztal körül ültek.
The architect suggested a circular window to let in more light.
Az építész kör alakú ablakot javasolt, hogy több fény jusson be.
She wore a simple necklace with a small circular pendant.
The cake came in a circular tin that was hard to open.
A circular mirror hung above the fireplace.
Learner examples
The children sat in a circular space on the floor.
A gyerekek a padlón egy kör alakú területen ültek.
We bought a circular rug for the living room.
Kerek szőnyeget vettünk a nappaliba.
There is a circular hole in the wall.
I like this circular plate more than the square one.
The coin has a smooth circular edge.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "circle" instead of "circular" before a noun, saying *a circle table* instead of *a circular table*. Use "circular" to describe the shape of the noun and "a circle" when the noun itself is the shape, as in *draw a circle*.
Meaning
shaped like a circle or disk
Collocations
circular table
|circular window
|circular hole
|circular frame
|circular logo
|circular plate
Synonyms
round (More general and common; can also describe spheres or vague roundness, not only flat circle shapes.)
Antonyms
square (Describes a shape with four equal straight sides and right angles, contrasting with a smooth, curved circular shape.)
Themes
geometry
|description
|objects
|core_vocabulary
|space
Definition
Having a round, circle-like shape.
Having the shape of a circle or a flat round disk.
B1
2
körkörös
B2
Usage pattern:
a circular [route / path / movement]
We took a circular route through the park and ended up back at the gate.
Körkörös útvonalon mentünk végig a parkban, és végül visszaértünk a kapuhoz.
The runners trained on a circular track outside the stadium.
A futók a stadion melletti körpályán edzettek.
The satellite follows a nearly circular orbit around the Earth.
The dancers moved in a slow circular pattern around the stage.
The hiking trail is circular, so you finish where you started.
Learner examples
The bus goes on a circular route around the city.
A busz körjáratként járja körbe a várost.
We walked on a circular path by the lake.
A tó mellett egy kör alakú ösvényen sétáltunk.
The planet moves in a circular line around the sun.
The cars drove in a circular way around the fountain.
The race takes place on a circular track.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *circle route* or *round route* instead of *circular route*. Use "circular" before nouns like "route", "path", and "track" to describe a path that goes around and returns to the starting point.
Meaning
moving or arranged in a circle
Collocations
circular route
|circular path
|circular movement
|circular tour
|circular track
Synonyms
roundabout (Often suggests an unnecessarily long or indirect route; "circular" is more neutral and geometric.)
Antonyms
straight (Describes a direct line or route with no curve, opposite of a circular or curved path.)
Themes
travel
|movement
|space
Definition
Going in or making a round path, not straight.
Moving, arranged, or taking a path in the shape of a circle or around a central point.
C1
TECHNICAL
3
körkörös
C1
Usage pattern:
a circular [argument / explanation / definition]
The lawyer objected that the testimony was based on a circular argument.
Az ügyvéd kifogásolta, hogy a tanúvallomás körkörös érvelésre épült.
Her explanation of success was circular, saying that rich people win because winners are rich.
A sikerre adott magyarázata körkörös volt: azt mondta, hogy a gazdag emberek azért nyernek, mert a nyertesek gazdagok.
The philosopher pointed out the circular reasoning in the theory.
The committee rejected the proposal because its justification was obviously circular.
A good definition should not be circular or simply repeat the word being defined.
Learner examples
The teacher said my answer was a circular argument.
A tanár azt mondta, hogy a válaszom körkörös érvelés volt.
His idea uses circular reasoning, so it is not strong.
Az ötlete körkörös érvelésre épül, ezért nem meggyőző.
The example in the book is bad because the logic is circular.
She gave a circular explanation that did not really explain anything.
We learned not to use circular definitions in our essays.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "circular" with "cycle" or "cyclical" and think it only means "repeated many times". In logic, a "circular argument" is wrong because it uses its own conclusion as a reason, not just because the discussion goes in circles.
Meaning
using faulty self‑supporting logic
Collocations
circular argument
|circular reasoning
|circular logic
|circular explanation
|circular definition
Synonyms
self‑referential (Focuses on referring to itself; "circular" specifically emphasizes faulty logical structure.)
Antonyms
logical (Describes reasoning that follows valid rules and does not rely on its own conclusion as proof.)
Themes
logic
|education
|communication
Definition
Describing an argument that is bad because it uses its own conclusion as a reason to believe that conclusion.
Describing reasoning or an argument in which the conclusion is assumed in the premises, so that it appears to prove itself.
B2
4
körforgásos
B2
Usage pattern:
a circular [process / system / model / economy]
Many governments are promoting a circular economy to reduce waste.
Számos kormány támogatja a körforgásos gazdaságot a hulladék csökkentése érdekében.
The company redesigned its supply chain to create a more circular system.
A vállalat átalakította az ellátási láncát, hogy körforgásosabb rendszerré tegye.
In a circular process, materials are recovered and fed back into production.
The report argues that circular business models can be profitable and sustainable.
Water in the plant is used in a circular loop instead of being released after one use.
Learner examples
They want to build a circular economy with less waste.
Kevesebb hulladékkal járó körforgásos gazdaságot akarnak kiépíteni.
A circular system uses things again and again.
A körforgásos rendszer újra és újra felhasználja a dolgokat.
In this circular process, old parts become new products.
The new plan is more circular and better for the environment.
A circular model is not a straight line; it is like a loop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "circular economy" means an economy that goes around in circles without progress. Here, "circular" refers to materials and products being reused and recycled in a loop, in contrast to a "linear" model of take‑make‑waste.
Meaning
operating in a closed, repeating cycle
Collocations
circular economy
|circular system
|circular process
|circular model
|circular flow
Synonyms
cyclical (Emphasizes regular repeating cycles; "circular" often highlights closed loops and reuse, especially in economics and sustainability.)
Antonyms
linear (Describes a one‑way process moving from start to end without looping back or reusing outputs.)
Themes
business
|environment
|science
|technology
Definition
Describing a system where things go in a loop and are used again instead of being thrown away or stopped.
Relating to a system or process in which resources, information, or effects move in a closed loop and are continually reused or repeated.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
5
körlevél
B2
reklámújság
B1
Usage pattern:
send a circular to [people / members / customers]
The school sent a circular to all parents about the new rules.
Az iskola körlevelet küldött minden szülőnek az új szabályokról.
Staff received an internal circular explaining the policy change.
A dolgozók belső körlevelet kaptak, amely ismertette a szabályzat módosítását.
Residents complained about the number of advertising circulars left in their mailboxes.
The ministry issued a circular to local authorities on how to apply the new law.
A colorful circular from the supermarket listed the weekly discounts.
Learner examples
Our company sent a circular to all workers.
A cégünk körlevelet küldött minden dolgozónak.
I got a shopping circular in the mail today.
Ma kaptam egy reklámújságot a postán.
The teacher read an important circular from the school office.
The government wrote a circular to every hospital.
They printed many circulars and gave them to people on the street.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "circular" (noun) with the adjective and say *send a circular letter paper* instead of simply *send a circular*. As a noun, "a circular" already means a letter or notice sent to many people.
Meaning
letter or notice sent widely
Collocations
send a circular
|issue a circular
|distribute a circular
|government circular
|internal circular
|advertising circular
Synonyms
flyer (Usually an advertising sheet given to the public; not always used for official internal communication like some circulars.)
Antonyms
personal letter (A message written for one specific person, not a standard text sent to many people.)
Themes
business
|communication
|administration
Definition
A paper or email message that is sent to many people at once, usually with the same text.
A printed letter, notice, or advertisement that is distributed to many people or organizations at the same time.
Grammar
Dictionary form
circular
IPA
GB/sˈɚkjəlɚ/
US/sˈɚkjəlɚ/
Syllables & stress
cir - cu - lar (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cir)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: circular
Noun
- Base: circular
- Plural: circulars
Word family
Forms
circulars
noun
Core family
circle
noun A2
circularly
adverb
Related words
Advanced or less common
circularity
noun C1
Expressions
circular argument
1/sˈɚkjəlɚ ˈɑɹɡjəmənt/
fixed phrase
an argument that proves itself
A bad argument that tries to prove something by using that same thing as a reason.
Examples
- Saying "I am right because I am never wrong" is a circular argument.
- The professor asked the class to find the circular argument in the article.
- Their defense of the policy was just a circular argument that repeated the conclusion.
circular economy
1/sˈɚkjəlɚ ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
economic system based on reuse and recycling
An economic system where products, parts, and materials are used again and again, instead of being thrown away after one use.
Examples
- Many cities are trying to move from a linear model to a circular economy.
- A circular economy can reduce waste and create new jobs in recycling and repair.
circular letter
1/sˈɚkjəlɚ lˈɛtɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
standard letter sent to many people
A letter that is copied and sent to many people with the same message.
Examples
- The company sent a circular letter to all clients announcing the change of address.
- Members received a circular letter explaining the new membership rules.
circular reasoning
1/sˈɚkjəlɚ ɹˈizənɪŋ/
fixed phrase
faulty logic using itself as proof
Thinking in a wrong way where your reason and your answer are basically the same thing.
Examples
- The article is full of circular reasoning and never gives real evidence.
- Teachers often warn students to avoid circular reasoning in their essays.
circular saw
1/sˈɚkjəlɚ sˈɔ/
fixed phrase
power tool with a round blade
A power tool with a fast-spinning round blade that is used to cut wood and other materials.
Examples
- He used a circular saw to cut the wooden boards.
- Always wear safety glasses when operating a circular saw.