ENGLISH
REFERENCE

round

adj. · n. · v. · prep. · adv.
US //ˈɹaʊnd// UK //ɹˈaʊnd// round
  1. 1 circular shape (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    shaped like a circle or a ball.

    having a curved shape that forms a circle or sphere; lacking sharp corners.

    Example

    The children sat at a large round table to eat their lunch.

    Example

    The architect specified round windows for the upper floor to soften the building's otherwise harsh geometric profile.
  2. 2 whole number (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Math

    a number that is easy to use, usually ending in zero.

    expressed as a whole number or a multiple of ten, hundred, etc., for convenience.

    Example

    Let's just call it a round fifty dollars to make the payment easier.

    Example

    The accountant suggested using round figures in the initial presentation to avoid distracting the board with minor decimal discrepancies.
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  1. 3 part of a competition (n.)
    A2 Elementary Sport

    one stage of a game, competition, or a boxing match.

    one of a series of repeated stages in a competition or a timed period of play in sports like boxing.

    Example

    The boxer won the first round but started to look tired in the second.

    Example

    After three rounds of intense negotiation, both parties finally agreed on a compromise regarding the environmental clauses.
  2. 4 drinks for a group (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a set of drinks bought by one person for everyone in a group.

    a single serving of something, typically alcoholic drinks, provided to every member of a group.

    Example

    It is my turn to buy a round of drinks for the team.

    Example

    He generously ordered a round of champagne for the entire table to celebrate the successful merger.
  3. 5 ammunition (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical

    a single bullet or piece of ammunition for a gun.

    a single unit of ammunition consisting of a projectile and its casing.

    Example

    The soldier had only one round left in his rifle.

    Example

    The forensic team recovered several spent rounds from the scene, which helped them identify the type of weapon used.
  4. 6 regular route (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a regular path someone takes to do their job, like a doctor or a mail carrier.

    a regular circuit or series of visits made by someone in the course of their duties.

    Example

    The doctor is doing her rounds in the hospital this morning.

    Example

    The security guard completes his rounds every hour to ensure all external gates remain securely locked.
  5. 7 to go past (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to move around a corner or a curve.

    to pass around or move past a corner, bend, or cape.

    Example

    The car slowed down as it rounded the sharp corner.

    Example

    As the yacht rounded the headland, the crew was met with much stronger winds and choppy seas.
  6. 8 to estimate (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Math

    to change a number to the nearest whole number or ten.

    to approximate a numerical value to the nearest whole number or power of ten.

    Example

    You can round 9.8 up to 10 to make the math simpler.

    Example

    The software is programmed to round all currency conversions to the nearest cent to maintain accounting accuracy.

    Usage

    Often used with 'up' or 'down'.
  7. 9 surrounding (prep.)
    A2 Elementary British English

    in a circle around something or on the other side of a corner.

    expressing movement or position in a circle or around a central point; also used for location on the further side of something.

    Example

    They sat round the fire and told ghost stories all night.

    Example

    The path winds round the base of the mountain, offering spectacular views of the valley below.

    Teacher's tip

    In American English, 'around' is almost always preferred for this sense.
  8. 10 circularly (adv.)
    A2 Elementary British English

    moving in a circle or to a different direction.

    in a circular direction or to a position facing the opposite way.

    Example

    The wheels spun round and round in the mud.

    Example

    He turned round to see who was calling his name from the back of the crowd.
Etymology 1

From Middle English round, rounde, from Old Northern French roünt, rund, Old French ront, runt, reont ( > French rond), from both Late Latin retundus and the original Latin rotundus. The noun developed partly from the adjective and partly from the corresponding French noun rond. Doublet of rotund.

Etymology 2

From Middle English rounen, from Old English rūnian (“to whisper, talk low, talk secrets, consipre, talk secretly”), from Proto-Germanic rūnōną (“to talk secrets, whisper, decide”), raunijaną (“to investigate, examine, prove”), from Proto-Indo-European (e)rewə-, (e)rwō- (“to trace, find out, look out”). Cognate with Scots roun (“to converse with in whispers, speak privately”), Middle Low German rūnen (“to whisper”), Middle Dutch ruinen (“to whisper”), German raunen (“to whisper, murmur”), Old English rūn (“whisper, secret, mystery”), Swedish röna (“to meet with, experience”). More at rune.

Word family
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