Basic Details
Word: Roundabout
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A round road junction where vehicles go round a central circle before turning off. As an adjective it means not direct, as in a roundabout answer.
Synonyms: traffic circle
How to Spell Roundabout
Syllables: round - a - bout
Tricky part: The small a in the middle is said quickly and is often left out or written as e. Both round and bout use ou.
Watch out for: roundabot, roundebout, rowndabout
Memory tip: Three small words go round together: round + a + bout. Say them slowly and the a in the middle will not be lost.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Take the second exit at the roundabout to reach the railway station.
Example 2: There is a fountain in the middle of the roundabout near our market.
Example 3: Instead of saying no, he gave a long, roundabout reply.
Fun Fact
In India, traffic moves clockwise around a roundabout because vehicles keep to the left. In countries that drive on the right, it moves anticlockwise.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
r_undab_ut
a) o, o
b) a, o
c) e, o
d) o, u
Show answer
a) o, o. Both round and bout are spelt with ou.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the correctly spelt word:
a) embarass
b) sattelite
c) roundabout
d) tomorow
Show answer
c) roundabout. Satellite has one t and a double l, embarrass needs two r's, and tomorrow needs two r's as well.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word: roundabout
a) straight
b) quick
c) honest
d) indirect
Show answer
d) indirect. A roundabout way of saying something does not get to the point directly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What do drivers do at a roundabout?
a) stop and switch off the engine
b) park their cars for the night
c) drive round a circle before turning off
d) pay a toll to cross a bridge
Show answer
c) drive round a circle before turning off
2. If someone takes a roundabout route home, the route is ____.
a) the shortest way
b) only for walkers
c) closed to traffic
d) longer than the direct way
Show answer
d) longer than the direct way
