Circling
/ˈsɜːrklɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo move in a circular path around a central point.
/ˈsɜːrklɪŋ/
To move in a circle around something.
The birds were circling the tree.
💡 Simply: Like a bird flying around and around, circling means going in a circle.
👶 For kids: Going round and round in a circle.
More Examples
The helicopter was circling the building.
How It's Used
"The plane was circling the airport before landing."
"Vultures were circling overhead."
To return repeatedly to a topic or idea.
/ˈsɜːrklɪŋ/
To repeatedly focus on or return to a particular topic or subject.
The discussion kept circling back to funding issues.
💡 Simply: When you keep talking about the same thing over and over, you are circling back to it. Like a record stuck on repeat!
👶 For kids: Talking about the same thing again and again.
More Examples
They circled the same concerns during the meeting.
How It's Used
"We kept circling back to the same argument."
From the verb "circle", ultimately from Latin "circulus" (a little circle). The -ing suffix indicates the continuous present participle.
The word's use has remained consistent throughout history, referring primarily to circular motion.
Memory tip
Imagine a bird circling its nest.