circle

cir|cle1 [ `sɜrkl ] noun count ***

1. ) a round shape consisting of a curved line that completely encloses a space and is the same distance from the center at every point. Something in the shape of a circle is circular:

a mathematical calculation to find out the radius of a circle

circle of: Cut out a circle of paper.

a ) a group of people or things arranged in a circle:

circle of: a circle of stones

in a circle: The dancers were standing in a circle around the fire.

form a circle: Now I'd like you to form a circle and hold hands.

2. ) a group of people who know one another or are related to one another:

circle of: They have a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

a social circle: I soon became a member of her social circle.

family circle: He now felt he was a member of the family circle.

a ) usually plural a group of people who are interested in the same things or have the same profession:

scientific/academic/literary circles: He began to move in the scientific circles centered around Sir Charles Cavendish.

political/financial/business circles: The bank's failure sent shock waves through international financial circles.

come/go full circle

if a situation comes or goes full circle, it becomes the same again as it was at the beginning:

He's back managing the club where he first started, so his career has come full circle.

go around in circles

to do something for a long time without achieving any results because you always return to the same problem that you cannot solve

=> SQUARE 3

circle

cir|cle 2 [ `sɜrkl ] verb *

1. ) transitive to draw a circle around something:

Someone had circled the next paragraph in red.

2. ) intransitive or transitive to move in a circle in the air:

Vultures circled in slow spirals above the camp.

The plane continued to circle the airport, waiting for permission to land.

a ) to move in a circle on the ground:

The dog circled him, barking.

circle around: The two men began circling slowly around each other.

3. ) transitive to form a circle around something:

Her arms circled his neck.