Words / C2

surk-uh-ml-uh-KYOOSHUN/ˌsɜːkəmləˈkjuːʃn/

Circumlocution is talking round the point: drop the circumlocution; a masterpiece of circumlocution. Evasion hides; waffle is informal British for empty talk. Periphrasis is the technical cousin. Answer directly if the examiner asks a yes/no.

Meaning

Talking in a roundabout way in order to avoid the point.

Examples

• “Drop the circumlocution and answer the question.”
• “Politicians hid behind circumlocution rather than a figure.”
• “Cut the circumlocution: what do you want us to do?”

Good to know

drop/avoid circumlocution. Informal empty talk: waffle. Direct answer is the cure.

Near in meaning

waffle

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