Circumlocutionary

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ËŒsɜːkÉ™mləˈkjuːʃənÉ™ri/
• US IPA: /ËŒsɝːkÉ™mləˈkjuːʃənÉ›ri/

Origin

circumlocution and -ary. Originally from Latin circumlocutio, literally speaking (locutio) in a circle (circum).

Full definition of circumlocutionary

Adjective

1. Articulated in a roundabout manner; tautological or with repetitive language.The old man's rambling yarn was circumlocutionary.
2. (of speech) Evasive, avoiding difficult questions or key points.The politician was being circumlocutionary; he refused to answer any of the journalist's questions.