Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To move in a circular path around a central point or object. It describes the orbital or rotational motion of one body relative to another.

Usage

• This verb is used to describe the motion of an object, celestial body, or person moving around another in a roughly circular or curved path.
• It is often used in scientific, astronomical, or descriptive contexts.
• The phrasal verb is typically followed by the object being orbited (e.g., 'circle round something').

Examples

• Verb:
  • The hawk began to circle round its prey high in the sky.
  • The children held hands and danced to circle round the maypole.
  • The moon circles round the Earth approximately every 27 days.

Advanced Usage

• "to circle round and round": This emphasizes repetitive, continuous circular motion.
  • The model airplane circled round and round the field before landing.

Variants and Related Words

• Circle (verb): To move in a circle, or to draw a circle around something.
  • Please circle the correct answer on your paper.
• Revolve (verb): To move in a curved path around a center or axis; a more formal synonym often used in astronomy.
  • The planets revolve around the sun.
• Orbit (verb/noun): The path of one celestial body around another; to move in such a path.
  • The satellite orbits the planet.

Synonyms

• Revolve around: To move in a circular orbit.
• Orbit: To travel around a star, planet, or moon.
• Circumnavigate: To sail or travel all the way around something (especially the globe).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Circle around: Has the same meaning as 'circle round'. 'Around' and 'round' are often interchangeable in this context.
  • The security guard circles around the building every hour.

Related Idioms

• Come full circle: To return to the original position or state after a long series of events.
  • After years of working in different cities, 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