circumlocution

English

Etymology

From Latin circumlocūtiō (“the act of speaking around; circumlocution, periphrasis”). Surface analysis circum- (“around”) +‎ locution (“talk”); see these for related terms. Probably a calque of Ancient Greek περίφρασις (periphrasis, “periphrasis”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˌsɜː(ɹ).kəm.ləˈkjuː.ʃən̩/
• (US) IPA: /sɚkəmloʊˈkjuʃən̩/

Noun

circumlocution (plural circumlocutions)

1. A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.
2. A roundabout expression. See also euphemism

Synonyms

• beat around the bush
• periphrasis
• ambages

Derived terms

• circumlocutionary
• circumlocutional

Related terms

• circumlocutory
• See also locution

Translations

roundabout or indirect way of speaking

Bulgarian: увъртане (bg) n., заобикалки (bg) pl. Finnish: kiertoilmaus (fi) French: périphrase (fr) f.

German: Umschweife (de) m. pl. Greek: περίφραση (el) (perifrasi) f. Spanish: circunlocución (es), rodeos (es) m. pl., ambages (es) m. pl., circunloquios (es) m. pl.

roundabout expression

Bulgarian: иносказание (bg)

Finnish: kiertoilmaus (fi) Spanish: circunlocución (es)