roundabout

1 of 2

adjective

round·​about ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t How to pronounce roundabout (audio)
Synonyms of roundaboutnext
: circuitous, indirect
had to take a roundabout route
roundaboutness noun

roundabout

2 of 2

noun

1
: a circuitous route : detour
2
British : merry-go-round
3
: a short close-fitting jacket worn by men and boys especially in the 19th century
4

Examples of roundabout in a Sentence

Adjective He took a roundabout route to town. In a roundabout way, he told me that my help was not wanted.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Which is, in a roundabout way, how Colicchio ended up an investor in 30 companies. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 16 May 2026 Turn east onto McLeod, go right at the roundabout, turn left on Howell Road and make a right on Kirsten Road. Noah Daly updated May 12, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2026
Noun
The highway from the Guadalajara city airport to downtown is newly paved and the city’s famous roundabout has gotten a $4-million facelift. Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2026 The vehicle reportedly sped away, and police gave chase until the vehicle crashed at the roundabout near the Sevier Street/South Street Interstate 30 overpass, the post says. Arkansas Online, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for roundabout

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1608, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1734, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of roundabout was in 1608

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Cite this Entry

“Roundabout.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roundabout. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

roundabout

adjective
round·​about
ˈrau̇n-də-ˌbau̇t
: not direct
went a roundabout way

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