Word
circulate
Meanings
to move continuously through a place or system
to be passed around among people or become widely known
to move around an area without a fixed destination, especially to watch, check, or socialize
Definition
To circulate means to move or be passed around within a place or group.
To circulate usually means to move continuously through an area or system, or to pass from person to person. People can circulate through a room, and air, water, or blood can circulate through a system. Information, rumours, and documents can also circulate when they are shared widely among people.
Examples
- I asked the team not to circulate the draft until the figures were verified.
- You can circulate the room during the reception and introduce yourself to the speakers.
- He noticed a rumour begin to circulate online and corrected it with a clear statement.
- The air conditioner helps circulate cool air evenly throughout the apartment.
- They decided to circulate among the guests rather than staying at one table all night.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "circulate" with "cycle" and incorrectly use it for repeating events rather than for movement or distribution.
More at C1 level
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- xenophobia Xenophobia is a strong dislike or fear of people from other countries or cultures.
- genocide Genocide is the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular group in order to …
- conundrum A conundrum is a confusing and difficult problem to solve.
- pretentious Trying to seem more important, intelligent, or cultured than you really are.
More verbs
- analyze To examine something carefully in order to understand it or explain it.
- scrutinize To scrutinize something is to examine it very carefully and in detail.
- affect To affect something is to influence it or cause it to change.
- allude To allude means to mention or suggest something indirectly without saying it clearly.
- elude To elude someone or something is to avoid being caught, understood, or remembered.