Roundaboutly Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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roundaboutly

[ˈraʊndəˌbaʊtli ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a circular or indirect way

Moving roundaboutly, she eventually found her way back to the starting point. He answered her question roundaboutly, avoiding a direct response.

Synonyms

circuitously, indirectly, tortuously.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
roundaboutly	Use this word when someone is speaking or acting in a way that is not straightforward but rather takes a more circular or less direct route. He roundaboutly admitted that he made a mistake. She explained the plan roundaboutly, leaving out many details.
indirectly	Best used when something is done or communicated in a way that is not straightforward or not directly connected to the main subject. She indirectly hinted at her dissatisfaction with the project. The instructions were indirectly given, making them hard to follow.
circuitously	Appropriate when describing a very indirect or long-winded path or way of doing something, often physically or metaphorically. The car took a circuitous route to avoid traffic. The conversation moved circuitously through various unrelated topics.
tortuously	Useful for describing something that is very complicated and difficult to follow, often with a connotation of causing confusion or hardship. The road wound tortuously through the mountains, making the drive difficult. His argument proceeded tortuously, making it hard to understand his point.

Examples of usage

She spoke roundaboutly, never getting to the point.
He always communicates roundaboutly, making it hard to understand his true intentions.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Communication Styles

People may speak roundaboutly when they want to avoid being blunt or to soften the impact of their words.
Conversational context can lead to roundabout ways of speaking, especially in cultures where indirectness is valued.
Some people use this technique to give listeners time to think or to lead them to a conclusion.

Literature

Many classic novels feature characters who communicate roundaboutly, revealing their personality traits and motivations.
Writers often employ roundabout dialogue to create tension, humor, or to reveal more about the social dynamics in a story.
Poetry can exemplify roundabout speech through metaphor and imagery, painting ideas with elaborate phrases.

Psychology

Psychologists suggest that some individuals may resort to roundabout forms of communication due to social anxiety or fear of conflict.
Roundabout communication can sometimes be a sign of emotional intelligence, where one is attuned to the feelings of others.
In therapy, clients may initially speak roundaboutly until they feel safe enough to express their emotions directly.

Cultural Differences

In certain cultures, roundabout communication is preferred as it implies respect and thoughtfulness.
Languages around the world have various ways of expressing ideas indirectly, which may lead to misunderstandings in direct-speaking cultures.
The effectiveness of roundabout speech can depend heavily on the relationship between the speaker and the listener.

Origin of 'roundaboutly'

Main points about word origin

The word combines 'round' and 'about', reflecting the twisted and indirect manner of speaking.
It emerged in English in the mid-19th century, often used to describe roundabout explanations.
The notion of 'roundabout' can trace its roots back to navigation terms, implying indirect routes.

The word 'roundaboutly' is a combination of 'roundabout' (meaning indirect or circuitous) and the adverb suffix '-ly'. It first appeared in the English language in the late 19th century, derived from the concept of moving in a circular or indirect manner. Over time, 'roundaboutly' has been used to describe actions or communication that are not straightforward or direct, but rather take a longer or more complex route to reach a conclusion or goal.