Circulated

/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪtɪd/

verbIntermediate📊CommonTechnology
1 meaning1 idiom/phrase1 question

Definitions

1

To move continuously through a system or area.

/ˈsɜːrkjʊleɪtɪd/

verbneutralIntermediate
Technology

To move or spread widely

The rumor circulated rapidly.

💡 Simply: Think of a rumor spreading – it goes from person to person like water flowing in a circle. That's circulating!

👶 For kids: Going around and around like a merry-go-round.

More Examples

2

The blood circulated throughout her body.

How It's Used

News

"The news circulated quickly through social media."

Finance

"The bank circulated a new policy document."

Idioms & expressions

circulate a rumor

To spread a rumor.

"They circulated a rumor that the company was going bankrupt."

From Latin *circulatus, past participle of circulare "to go around", from circus "circle".

The word has been used in its current sense since the 17th century, frequently in the context of circulating money or letters.

Memory tip

Imagine a circle, like a circulating fan, moving air continuously.

Word Origin

Original meaning

"to go around"

Base: circulate
circulate a petitioncirculate widelycirculate among

Common misspellings

circulateddcirculatiedcircuated

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written