circle · noun C /ˈsɜː.kl ̩/
Word family
Nouns: circle, circulation, semicircle
Adjectives: circular
Verbs: circle, circulate
circle (SHAPE)
A2 a continuous curved line, the points of which are always the same distance away from a fixed central point, or the area inside such a line
Dictionary examples:
Coloured paper was cut into circles, squares and triangles.
We sat in a circle.
Learner example:
She asked us to [sit] in a circle. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Arabic)
circle (GROUP)
B2 a group of people with family, work or social connections
Dictionary examples:
She's not one of my close circle of friends.
It's a technical term used in medical circles.
Learner example:
His name is Omar Naber and he has quite [a] big circle of fans in Slovenia, although most of them are kids. (First Certificate in English; B2; Slovene)
circle · verb /ˈsɜː.kl ̩/
Word family
Nouns: circle, circulation, semicircle
Adjectives: circular
Verbs: circle, circulate
circle (DRAW)
B1 T to draw a circle around something
Dictionary example:
Circle the answer you think is correct.
circle (MOVE)
C2 I or T to move in a circle, often around something
Dictionary example:
Birds circled above the trees.
Learner example:
Huge waves from the Atlantic were smash[ing] into the cliffs with a de[a]fening roar, while birds circled the sky high above us. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Danish)
