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) (uvǎrtane) n, заобикалки (bg) (zaobikalki) pl
• Finnish: kiertely (fi), jaarittelu (fi), pyörittely (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) (inoskazanie)

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