{
    "term": "circle",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "image": "data/images/ci/circles.png",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "a completely round flat shape",
            "sensetop": "circle of something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "the centre/circumference/radius/diameter of a circle"
                },
                {
                    "text": "concentric circles"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a design of overlapping circles"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Cut out two circles of paper.",
                    "contextForm": "circle of something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Spread 1 tablespoon of the meat mixture on each circle of dough."
                },
                {
                    "text": "the circle of light thrown by the torch"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Colours and Shapes"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["complete", "full", "concentric"],
                "verb + circle": ["draw", "trace", "describe"],
                "preposition": ["in a/​the circle", "circle of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "the area of a circle",
                    "the circumference of a circle",
                    "the diameter of a circle"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "the line that forms the edge of a circle",
            "sensetop": "in a circlecircle around somebody/something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Draw a circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He traced a circle in the dust with his finger."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She walked the horse round in a circle.",
                    "contextForm": "in a circle"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He had dark circles around his eyes from lack of sleep.",
                    "contextForm": "circle around somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The sharks were swimming in circles around her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He turned the car in a tight circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "How long does it take for the dial to rotate through a full circle?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "If you follow the road signs you will simply find yourself going round in a circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The water rippled in widening circles around the fountain."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["complete", "full", "concentric"],
                "verb + circle": ["draw", "trace", "describe"],
                "preposition": ["in a/​the circle", "circle of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "the area of a circle",
                    "the circumference of a circle",
                    "the diameter of a circle"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "a thing or a group of people or things that is like a circle in shape",
            "sensetop": "circle of somebody/somethingin a circlecircle around somebody/something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a circle of trees/chairs",
                    "contextForm": "circle of somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The children stood in a circle.",
                    "contextForm": "in a circle"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The crowd formed a circle around the two boys.",
                    "contextForm": "circle around somebody/something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The M25 motorway isn't quite a complete circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Arrange the candles to create a circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The children ran around the circle of chairs until the music stopped."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The stones form a complete circle."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["complete", "full", "concentric"],
                "verb + circle": ["draw", "trace", "describe"],
                "preposition": ["in a/​the circle", "circle of"],
                "phrases": [
                    "the area of a circle",
                    "the circumference of a circle",
                    "the diameter of a circle"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "an upper floor of a theatre or cinema where the seats are arranged in curved rows",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We had seats in the circle."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Film and theatre"],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["dress", "upper"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "a group of people who are connected because they have the same interests, jobs, etc.",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Talk of religion was forbidden in the family circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She's well known in theatrical circles."
                },
                {
                    "text": "a large **circle of friends**"
                },
                {
                    "text": "While she is lauded in London intellectual circles, she is less well-known to the general public."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He did not meet people outside his own small social circle."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her ideas have caused controversy in scientific circles in recent years."
                },
                {
                    "text": "friends in government circles"
                },
                {
                    "text": "They treat anyone outside their immediate circle with suspicion."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You need to widen your circle of friends."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She moves in the highest social circles."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has a wide circle of acquaintances."
                },
                {
                    "text": "My brother and I move in completely different circles."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["wide", "narrow", "small"],
                "verb + circle": ["have", "move in", "join"],
                "preposition": ["in a/​the circle"],
                "phrases": [
                    "a circle of acquaintances",
                    "a circle of admirers",
                    "a circle of friends"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to return to the situation in which you started, after a series of events or experiences",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to work hard at something or discuss something without making any progress",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be busy doing something without achieving anything important or making progress",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to do something that is considered to be impossible",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Marketing companies are trying to square the circle of profitability and growth with strong ethical values and sustainability."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsɜːkl/",
                "audio": "ci/circle/circle__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/ˈsɜːrkl/",
                "audio": "ci/circle/circle__us_2.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English, from Old French cercle, from Latin circulus ‘small ring’, diminutive of circus ‘ring’."
}