1. to move in a circular path around something
圍繞某物以圓形路徑移動
The plane circled the airport before landing.
飛機在降落前繞著機場盤旋。
Birds were circling high above in the sky.
鳥兒在高空中盤旋。
Circle Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
circle
verb
快速理解
What does "Circle" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Circle"?
「circle」作動詞時，主要指圍繞某物移動或畫出圓形。
- 1
環繞移動
EN: to move in a circle around something
翻譯: 圍繞某物轉圈移動
- 2
畫圈標記
EN: to draw a circle around something
翻譯: 在某物周圍畫圈標記
- 3
盤旋
EN: to fly or move in a circular path above something
翻譯: 在某物上方盤旋或繞行
小提醒：注意「circle」作動詞時，常與「around」或「above」等介系詞連用，描述環繞或盤旋的動作，不要只理解為名詞的「圓圈」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Circle" in English）
How to pronounce "Circle" in English?"Circle" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Circle" from YouTube Videos
Why Does Your Company Deserve More Money? by Michael Seibel
Y Combinator
“it's interesting like we have a series, a program at YC and we help YC companies tends to be like 12 to 24 months after YC, prep for and raise Thursday and at the kickoff meeting it's very similar to the kickoff meeting at YC: everyone goes on a circle, says what they do, but the difference is is that everyone says their revenue - mmm, and it was so much fun to be the kickoff meeting for this series day because you know you'd hear some idea.”
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Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Circle"?How does "Circle" change by context?
2. to draw a circle around something
在某物周圍畫一個圈
She circled the correct answer on the test.
她在試卷上圈出了正確答案。
Please circle the spelling mistakes in red pen.
請用紅筆圈出拼寫錯誤。
3. to form a circle around something or someone
圍繞某物或某人形成一個圈
The police circled the suspect.
警察圍住了嫌疑人。
The children circled the teacher to listen to the story.
孩子們圍著老師聽故事。
4. to move in a social circle or group
在特定的社交圈或群體中活動
He mainly circles within the artistic community.
他的活動範圍主要在藝術圈內。
Rumors have been circling the office for weeks.
謠言在辦公室裡流傳了好幾個星期。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Circle"?How to make natural sentences with "Circle"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| circle + noun (place/object) | 環繞、圍繞某物 | The birds circled the tower. (鳥兒們環繞著高塔飛行。) |
| circle + around/above/over + noun | 在…周圍/上方盤旋 | The helicopter circled above the landing zone. (直升機在降落區上空盤旋。) |
| be circled + by + noun | 被…環繞 | The ancient stone is circled by a mysterious aura. (這塊古老的石頭被一股神秘的氛圍所環繞。) |
| circle back (to + noun/topic) | 繞回、回到（某地或話題） | Let's circle back to the main issue after the break. (休息後我們再回到主要議題上。) |
| have/has + noun + circled (on calendar) | （在日曆上）圈出、標記 | She has the concert date circled in red. (她用紅筆圈出了演唱會的日期。) |
用法說明
How is "Circle" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Circle"?
circle doing vs circle to do
- 作為動詞，circle 通常指「環繞、盤旋」，其後接的動詞形式取決於語意。
- circle doing 並非標準用法。若要表達「環繞著做某事」，通常使用 circle while doing 或 circle around something 等結構。
- circle to do 也非典型搭配。若表示「為了做某事而盤旋」，常用 circle in order to do 或 circle before doing 來明確目的或時間順序。
- 最自然的用法是 circle + 受詞（地點或物體），或搭配副詞片語描述方式。 EN: The birds were circling while searching for food. 翻譯: 鳥兒一邊盤旋，一邊尋找食物。
EN:The helicopter circled the area in order to survey the damage.
翻譯:直升機環繞該區域，以勘察損害情況。
總結建議
使用 circle 時，應直接接名詞受詞或搭配適當的副詞片語，避免直接接動詞原形或動名詞。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Circle" and similar words?How to choose "Circle" vs alternatives?
circle vs surround
「circle」強調環繞的動作或形成圓形軌跡，而「surround」則側重於從四面八方包圍，不一定有圓形軌跡。
circle vs encircle
「circle」可指單純的環繞移動，而「encircle」則帶有完全包圍、環繞以形成封閉圈的意味。
circle vs rotate
「circle」指圍繞一個外部點或物體移動，而「rotate」指物體繞著自身的軸心或內部點轉動。
口語用法
How is "Circle" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Circle"?
引述
在轉述他人動作或描述一個視覺化場景時，常用來使敘述更生動。 EN: And then he just circled the important part on the map for everyone to see. 翻譯: 然後他就在地圖上把重要的部分圈起來給大家看。
EN:She was like, "I don't get it," so I circled the answer with a red pen.
翻譯:她就說：「我不懂，」所以我就用紅筆把答案圈起來。
語氣強調
用於強調包圍、環繞的動作，常與 "right"、"just" 或 "completely" 等副詞連用，加強語氣。 EN: The fans just circled the band's car as soon as it stopped. 翻譯: 車一停，粉絲就直接把樂團的車團團圍住了。
EN:You need to circle the correct date right here, okay?
翻譯:你需要把正確的日期就在這裡圈起來，好嗎？
停頓填充
在思考下一步或尋找合適詞語時，用作口語中的填充詞，常以現在分詞 "circling" 形式出現。 EN: So I was, uh, circling around the idea of maybe changing jobs. 翻譯: 所以我就，呃，一直在考慮換工作這個念頭。
EN:The conversation kept circling... you know, back to the same old problem.
翻譯:談話一直繞著……你知道的，又回到同一個老問題上。
正式寫作注意：在正式或學術寫作中，應避免將 "circle" 用作 "consider" 或 "discuss" 的隨意替代詞（如 "circling the idea"），也應避免其作為填充停頓的用法。建議使用更精確的動詞，如 "encircle"、"surround"、"consider" 或 "revolve around"。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Circle"?What fixed phrases with "Circle" should I remember?
circle around
circle around [sth/sb]
圍繞著某物或某人移動；在附近徘徊、打轉
circle back
circle back (to [sth])
稍後再回來處理（某個話題或問題）；繞回來
circle the wagons
circle the wagons
採取防禦姿態；團結一致以抵禦外部威脅或批評
circle over
circle over [place]
（尤指飛機、鳥類）在某地上空盤旋
circle the globe
circle the globe
環遊世界
circle a date
circle a date (on the calendar)
在日曆上圈出一個日期（表示其重要或值得期待）
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Circle"?Which "Circle" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×The plane circled around the airport.
✓The plane circled the airport.
The verb 'circle' already implies moving around something, so 'around' is redundant. In English, 'circle' as a transitive verb means to move in a circle around something.
×He circled the correct answer with red pen.
✓He circled the correct answer in red.
When describing the tool or medium used to draw a circle, we use the preposition 'in', not 'with'. 'With' is used for the instrument (e.g., 'with a pen'), but the color is specified using 'in'.
×The discussion always circles about the same topic.
✓The discussion always circles back to the same topic.
The phrasal verb for returning to a previous topic or point is 'circle back to', not 'circle about'. 'Circle about' is not a standard collocation for this meaning.
×Birds were circling on the sky.
✓Birds were circling in the sky.
The correct preposition for the general space where something is circling is 'in', not 'on'. We use 'in' for a three-dimensional space like the sky.
×She circled a date on her calendar.
✓She circled a date on her calendar.
This is correct. A common confusion is with the verb 'mark'. While both can be used, 'circle' specifically means to draw a circle around something. The mistake learners often make is using 'circle' when they mean a different kind of marking (e.g., underline, highlight). Ensure the action is literally drawing a ring.
×The rumor circled through the office quickly.
✓The rumor circulated through the office quickly.
For information, news, or rumors spreading among people, the correct verb is 'circulate', not 'circle'. 'Circle' refers to physical movement or drawing a ring.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Circle"?What are tense/participle forms of "Circle"?
circles(3rd_singular)circling(present_participle)circled(past)circled(past_participle)