circuit
noun
Simple meaning
Enclosed path of an electric current, usually designed for a certain function.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
surkuhtSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
ˈsɝkət
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
electricity
Enclosed path of an electric current, usually designed for a certain function.
The act of moving or revolving around, or as in a circle or orbit; a revolution
The circumference of, or distance around, any space; the measure of a line around an area.
A regular or appointed trip from place to place as part of one's job
A chain of cinemas/movie theaters.
The space enclosed within a circle, or within limits.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner (estimated)
- Frequency
- Common
- Typical Use
- General English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: (electricity) Enclosed path of an electric current, usually designed for a certain function.
Used this way, circuit is a reasonably familiar word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. It usually sounds natural in a wide range of settings.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Neutral
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Moderately common
- Connotation
- Matter-of-fact
- Usage feel
- Neutral and straightforward
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
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Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Similar Words, What’s the Difference?
Close in meaning, but not always interchangeable.
A complete circuit for an electric current.
An electric circuit.
A path, or an interconnected group of paths (at least one of which is closed), capable of carrying an electric current.
The state or condition of being in part extended over or by the side of something else.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A printed circuit that can be inserted into expansion slots in a computer to increase the computer's capabilities.
A device that trips like a switch and opens the circuit when overloaded.
A printed circuit that can be inserted into expansion slots in a computer to increase the computer's capabilities.
One of the twelve federal United States courts of appeals that cover a group of states known as a `circuit'.
A circuit consisting of two branches (4 arms arranged in a diamond configuration) across which a meter is connected.
Relating to or consisting of a closed circuit.
Related words
Connected by subject or meaning, not by word formation.
Electronic equipment consisting of a system of circuits.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
More about this wordSynonyms, forms, origin
Synonyms
Sense: enclosed path of an electric current
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