roundabout
gb/ɹˈaʊndəbˌaʊt/ us/ɹˈaʊndəbˌaʊt/
A2
English
körforgalom, kerülő, kitérő, körülményes, körhinta, forgó
NOUN
B1
1
körforgalom
A2
Usage pattern:
at the roundabout; take [ordinal/number] exit at the roundabout
At the roundabout, take the second exit toward the city centre.
A körforgalomnál hajtson ki a második kijáraton a városközpont felé.
There was a long queue of cars approaching the roundabout.
Hosszú kocsisor állt a körforgalom előtt.
The new roundabout has reduced accidents at the junction.
Learner examples
Turn left at the roundabout.
Fordulj balra a körforgalomnál.
Take the first exit.
Hajts ki az első kijáraton.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse a roundabout with a simple intersection/crossroads; on a roundabout you drive around a central island before exiting.
Meaning
circular road junction
Collocations
take the first/second/third exit
|go around the roundabout
|enter the roundabout
|exit the roundabout
|mini-roundabout
|busy roundabout
|traffic at the roundabout
|approach the roundabout
|signal at the roundabout
|roundabout junction
Synonyms
traffic circle (Common alternative term, especially in North America.)
|
rotary (Regional (US) term for a roundabout.)
Themes
travel
|transport
|driving
|city_life
Definition
a circular place in the road where cars go around and then exit
A road junction where traffic travels around a central island, usually in one direction, and vehicles leave by different exits.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
a roundabout [answer/way/route/method]
He gave a roundabout answer instead of saying yes or no.
Kitérő választ adott, ahelyett hogy igent vagy nemet mondott volna.
We took a roundabout route to avoid the traffic on the main road.
Kerülő útvonalon mentünk, hogy elkerüljük a főúton lévő forgalmat.
Her explanation was so roundabout that I still didn’t understand the plan.
Learner examples
Please give me a direct answer, not a roundabout one.
Kérlek, egyenes választ adj, ne kitérőt.
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean physically 'round' (circular). It usually means 'indirect' when describing speech, explanations, or routes.
Meaning
indirect, not straightforward
Collocations
a roundabout way
|a roundabout route
|a roundabout answer
|a roundabout explanation
|a roundabout method
|a rather roundabout manner
|a roundabout approach
|a roundabout reference
|in a roundabout way
|a roundabout conversation
Synonyms
indirect (Most general synonym; less image-based.)
|
circuitous (Often describes routes or long, winding processes.)
|
long-winded (Focuses on using too many words when speaking or writing.)
Antonyms
direct (Goes straight to the point without detours.)
|
straightforward (Easy to understand and not complicated.)
Themes
communication
|daily_life
|thinking
Definition
not direct; using a long or unclear way
Not direct or simple; done or said in a way that avoids stating something clearly or goes the long way around.
NOUN
A2
3
Usage pattern:
on the roundabout; play on the roundabout
The children ran to the roundabout and started pushing it faster.
A gyerekek odarohantak a forgóhoz, és gyorsabban kezdték tolni.
He fell off the roundabout when it spun too quickly.
Leesett a forgóról, amikor az túl gyorsan pörgött.
There’s a roundabout next to the swings in the park.
Learner examples
The kids are on the roundabout.
A gyerekek a körhintán vannak.
Common mistake:
In American English this is more often called a merry-go-round; in British English roundabout is common for the playground ride.
Meaning
spinning playground ride
Collocations
play on the roundabout
|push the roundabout
|spin the roundabout
|get on the roundabout
|get off the roundabout
|the park roundabout
|a playground roundabout
|a metal roundabout
|a small roundabout
|a fast-spinning roundabout
Synonyms
merry-go-round (Common term, especially in North America.)
|
carousel (Often refers to a larger fairground ride, frequently with horses.)
Themes
children
|play
|daily_life
Definition
a playground ride that spins
A playground or fairground ride that children sit or stand on while it turns around in a circle.
Grammar
Dictionary form
roundabout
IPA
GB/ɹˈaʊndəbˌaʊt/
US/ɹˈaʊndəbˌaʊt/
Syllables & stress
round - about (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (round)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: roundabout
Noun
- Base: roundabout
- Plural: roundabouts
Expressions
in a roundabout way
1/ˈɪn ə ɹˈaʊndəbˌaʊt wˈeɪ/
fixed phrase
indirectly; not clearly
not directly; in a way that is not clear
Examples
- She hinted in a roundabout way that she wanted a promotion.
- He explained the problem in a roundabout way, so we asked him to be clearer.
- I’ll say this in a roundabout way to avoid naming names.
Learner examples
- He told me in a roundabout way.
swings and roundabouts
1/swˈɪŋz ˈænd ɹˈaʊndəbˌaʊts/
idiom
informal
trade-offs; pluses and minuses
there are good and bad points; it evens out
Examples
- The salary is lower, but the job is less stressful—swings and roundabouts.
- Living in the city is expensive, but you save time commuting; it’s swings and roundabouts.
- We didn’t get the exact dates we wanted, but we got a better price—swings and roundabouts.