Circulate Meaning
/ˈsɜː.kjʊˌleɪt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbto move in circles or through a circuit
verbto cause (a person or thing) to move in circles or through a circuit
Sentence Examples
Rumors started to circulate in town about Yanni having an affair.
Money needs to circulate more efficiently in Algeria.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Fans help air ____ through the room on hot summer days.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Blood needs to ____ freely through the whole body to stay healthy.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Late Latin circulātus, perfect passive participle of Late Latin circulō (“to make circular, encircle”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), a later collateral form of circulor (“form a circle (of men) around oneself”), from circulus (“a circle”). See also Middle English circulat(e) (“(alchemy) changed by continuous distillation in a closed vessel”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"In both the 2005 and 2013 papal elections there were whispers circulating that back in 1976 Francis had failed to help the two priests in their hour of need."
— 2025 April 21, Peter Stanford, “Pope Francis obituary”, in The Guardian:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Fans help air ____ through the room on hot summer days.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Blood needs to ____ freely through the whole body to stay healthy.