Definition

Verb: - To move in a circular path around a central point or object. This describes the orbital or rotational motion of one body relative to another.

Usage

This verb phrase is used to describe the physical movement of an object tracing a circular or roughly circular path around another object. It often implies a continuous, repeated motion.

Examples

• The children circled around the teacher to hear the story.
• A hawk was circling around high above the field, looking for prey.
• The debate kept circling around the same main issues without reaching a conclusion.

Advanced Usage

• To circle around an idea/concept/problem: To repeatedly consider or approach a topic from different angles without fully addressing or solving it.
  • Our discussion has been circling around the core problem all afternoon.

Variants and Related Words

• Circle (verb): To move in a circle; to draw a circle around something.
  • The plane circled the airport before landing.
• Encircle (verb): To form a circle around; to surround.
  • The walls encircle the ancient city.

Synonyms

• Revolve around: To move in an orbit around.
• Orbit: To travel around a star, planet, etc., in a curved path.
• Circumnavigate: To sail or travel all the way around.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Circle back (to): To return to a topic or person later.
  • Let's circle back to your first point in our next meeting.

Related Idioms

• Come full circle: To return to the original position or situation after a series of events.
  • After years of traveling, his career has come full circle and he's back at his first company.

Verb

1. move around in a circular motion
   • The Earth revolves around the Sun