What is circle? Pronunciation and usage in English

circle means . Learn how to pronounce and use circle through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of circle

circlenoun

/ˈsəːkl/
Definition & pronunciation of circle

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "circle" in English. Here's a breakdown and a few ways to get it right:

The Basic Pronunciation:

  • CIR - This part is key. It sounds like "sir" – as in, the person who serves you in a restaurant. Don't say "cair" like you're describing a mountain.
  • CLE - This part sounds like "cluh." The "e" is a short "uh" sound, like in "cup."

Putting it Together:

So, the full pronunciation is: "SIR-cluh"

Here's a more detailed breakdown with phonetic symbols (for those who like that):

  • ˈsɜːr.kl̩ (British English)
  • ˈsɜr.kl̩ (American English)

Tips and Things to Avoid:

  • Don't add an extra "i" sound: The most common mistake is to pronounce it "ser-keye." Don't do that!
  • Say "uh" for the "e": The "e" in "cle" is not a long "e" sound like in "see."
  • Focus on the two distinct syllables: "Sir" and "cluh".

Resources to Hear It:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences to practice with?

Usage and examples with the word circle in English

Let's break down how to use the word "circle" in English! It's a surprisingly versatile word with many different meanings. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Geometric Circle (The most basic meaning)

  • Definition: A perfectly round shape with all points equally distant from a center point.
  • Examples:
    • "Draw a circle with a radius of 5 cm."
    • "The planet Earth is approximately a circle."
    • “The wheel is a perfect circle.”

2. Group of People (Social Circles)

  • Definition: A group of people who associate with each other regularly. Think of it like a closed-off community.
  • Examples:
    • "She's part of a book club circle."
    • "He moved to a new city and it took him a while to find his circle of friends."
    • "They went to a party and met people from different circles in the art world."
    • “We have a close-knit circle of family.”

3. Ring (A Circular Object)

  • Definition: A ring-shaped object.
  • Examples:
    • "She wore a silver circle on her finger."
    • "The circus performer balanced a large circle on his hands."

4. Circle (Process/Activity)

  • Definition: A sequence of events or activities that repeat in a cyclical manner. Often used in a process.
  • Examples:
    • "The project went through several circles of approval before it was finalized." (Meaning it was reviewed and revised multiple times.)
    • "The issue we're dealing with is caught in a circle of blame." (Meaning it’s a repeating and unproductive cycle.)
    • "He’s trying to break the circle of depression he’s stuck in.” (Meaning, he’s trying to stop a negative, repeating pattern.)

5. Circle (Figurative - Roundness/Wholeness)

  • Definition: To represent completeness, unity, or a continuous loop.
  • Examples:
    • "The circle of life" (symbolizing birth, death, and rebirth).
    • “The circle of friends around the campfire was a scene of warmth and friendship.” (Suggesting a feeling of unity.)

6. “Circle around” (Idiomatic Expressions)

  • Definition: Signifies approaching or surrounding something.
  • Examples:
    • "The rain started to circle around us." (Meaning it began to surround us)
    • "He was circling around the topic of their argument.” (Meaning he kept returning to the topic.)

7. "Circle Back" (Business/Conversation)

  • Definition: To return to a previous topic or idea. Often used when a conversation has wandered.
  • Example: “Let’s circle back to the budget later.”

Helpful Tips for Using "Circle":

  • Context is key: The meaning of "circle" depends entirely on the context.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like "group," "ring," "loop," or "cycle" to clarify your meaning.
  • Phrasal Verbs: “Circle around” is a common idiom, so be aware of its meaning.

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to say specifically where you want to use the word "circle"? (e.g., a sentence, a paragraph, etc.)

Synonyms for the word circle

Idioms of the word circle

come, turn, etc. full circle
to return to the situation in which you started, after a series of events or experiences
    go round in circles
    to work hard at something or discuss something without making any progress
      run round in circles
      (informal)to be busy doing something without achieving anything important or making progress
        square the circle
        to do something that is considered to be impossible
        • Marketing companies are trying to square the circle of profitability and growth with strong ethical values and sustainability.

        Practice with vocabulary circle

        Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

        1. The students sat in a ______ to discuss their project.
        2. She carefully drew a ______ on the paper to represent the sun.
        3. The meeting was held in a square room, not a ______ one.
        4. He stood at the ______ of the room, waiting for his turn to speak.

        Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

        1. Which shape has no corners and is perfectly round?
          a) Circle
          b) Square
          c) Triangle
          d) Rectangle

        2. What is the best word to describe a group of people who share similar interests?
          a) Circle
          b) Team
          c) Community
          d) Network

        3. Which term refers to the path of a point moving at a fixed distance from a center?
          a) Curve
          b) Circle
          c) Line
          d) Angle

        4. In geometry, which shape has four equal sides and four right angles?
          a) Circle
          b) Square
          c) Rhombus
          d) Pentagon

        5. What do you call the line that forms the boundary of a circle?
          a) Radius
          b) Diameter
          c) Circumference
          d) Chord

        Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

        1. Original: The group of friends gathered around the table.
          Rewrite: The friends formed a circle around the table.

        2. Original: She looped the rope around the post.
          Rewrite: She created a circular loop with the rope around the post.

        3. Original: The shape of the lake was perfectly round.
          Rewrite: The lake had a perfectly round shape.

        Answer:

        Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

        1. circle
        2. circle
        3. circular
        4. center

        Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

        1. a) Circle
        2. a) Circle, c) Community
        3. b) Circle
        4. b) Square
        5. c) Circumference

        Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

        1. The friends formed a circle around the table.
        2. She created a circular loop with the rope around the post.
        3. The lake had a perfectly round shape.

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