adjective
circuitous
ser-KYOO-ih-tus/sərˈkjuːɪtəs/
Following an indirect route or approach.
The hiker follows a circuitous path around the ravine toward the nearby destination.
Etymology
The “going around” base appears in an adjective meaning “full of roundabout ways.” That image describes a route—or an approach to a problem—that reaches its goal indirectly.
In context
but he had contrived to send detachments around by circuitous and precipitous paths which even the Mountaineers had deemed impracticable and thus attack his enemies suddenly and unexpectedly from above their own positions
More examples
- His circuitous explanation took several minutes to reach the point.
- The investigation followed a circuitous path.
- She chose a less circuitous way home.
Forms
circuitous
Similar words
- direct
- Direct proceeds without detours; circuitous takes a roundabout course.