WordGarden.ioround
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈaʊnd/
US
- /ˈraʊnd/
Meanings
Adjective
circular or curved like a circle
expressed as a whole or approximate number
Preposition
around, surrounding, or on different sides of
Noun
a stage of play or fighting in a competition
one complete series of turns, acts, or events
a single cartridge, shell, or shot fired from a weapon
Beyond the definition
"Round" is a very flexible word in English. Most often, it describes something shaped like a circle, with no corners, like a ball, a plate, or the moon. It can also mean moving around something or returning along a usual path, as when a doctor does the rounds. In games, talks, or contests, a round is one stage or one turn. The word is also common when we talk about full groups or complete sets, like a round of drinks or a round of applause. In math and everyday speech, it can also mean making a number simpler, often by using the nearest ten or hundred.
The word "round" has several common meanings, but they connect in clear ways. The first meaning is about shape. If something is round, it is shaped like a circle or a ball, with no corners. We use it for flat things, like a round table, and for fuller objects, like a round stone. It can also describe parts of the body, such as a round face.
Another important meaning is movement. If you go round a building, you go around it. If someone comes round to your house, they come to visit. When people talk about doing the rounds, they mean following a regular path and checking each place in turn, like a nurse, guard, or delivery worker.
The word is also used for single stages in a process. In a game, fight, interview, or competition, a round is one part before the next part begins. In everyday life, it can mean one complete set shared by a group, such as a round of drinks or a round of applause.
There is also a number meaning. To round a number means to change it to a nearby simpler number. For example, 48 may be rounded to 50. This idea of getting closer to a neat, simple form is very common in school and in daily use.
So the word can point to shape, going around, a repeated route, one step in a series, or a complete shared set. It is a basic English word, and its meanings appear often in ordinary conversation.
Examples
- 1
Shape
The kitchen table is round.
- 2
Route
We walked round the lake before breakfast.
- 3
Turning around
She looked round when she heard her name.
- 4
Nearby place
There’s a small cafe just round the corner.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Home visit
I went round to Jake’s place after work.
- Patterngo round to + someone's place
visit them at home
- 6
Sharing documents
I’ll send the document round to everyone this afternoon.
- Patternsend something round
send it to each person in a group
- 7
Competition stage
He made it through to the next round of the competition.
- 8
Buying drinks
It’s your round, isn’t it?
- Phraseyour round
your turn to buy drinks for the group
- 9
Applause
Let’s give the band a big round of applause.
- Phrasea round of applause
a period of clapping
- 10
Whole year
The shop is open all year round.
- Phraseall year round
throughout the whole year
- 11
Number adjustment
The bill came to $48, but they rounded it down to $45.
- Phraseround down
reduce a number to a simpler or lower one
See also
Forms and spellings
6 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- roundnounverbadjectiveadverb
Forms
- roundspluralnounverbadjective
- roundedpast tenseverbadjectivenoun
- rounding-ing formverbadjectivenoun
- roundercomparativeadjectiveverbnoun
- roundestsuperlativeadjectiveverbnoun