Cyclical
/ˈsaɪklɪkəl/
Definitions
Relating to or happening in cycles; recurring at intervals.
/ˈsaɪklɪkəl/
Recurring in cycles; happening again and again in the same order.
The company's profits showed a cyclical pattern, increasing during the holiday season and decreasing afterward.
💡 Simply: Imagine a roller coaster. It goes up, down, and then back up again. That up-and-down pattern, happening over and over, is what we call cyclical. Like, the seasons: spring, summer, fall, winter, and then back to spring!
👶 For kids: Like a wheel going around and around, things that happen again and again are cyclical!
More Examples
The cyclical drought, which occurs every few years, severely impacts agriculture.
The artist explored the cyclical themes of life and death in her paintings.
How It's Used
"The cyclical nature of the market led to fluctuations in investment returns."
"The cyclical patterns of the seasons affect animal migration."
"The cyclical narrative of the poem mirrored the recurring themes of life and death."
From the Greek word 'kyklos' meaning 'circle' or 'wheel', reflecting a pattern of recurring events or processes.
The term 'cyclical' began to gain prominence in the 19th century with the development of economic and scientific theories that emphasized recurring patterns.
Memory tip
Think of a bicycle's cycle – it goes around and around, just like cyclical events.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: kyklos