circuitous

Circuitous is an adjective used to describe something that is not direct, but rather roundabout, winding, or longer than necessary. It can refer to physical paths, such as roads or routes, as well as to processes, explanations, or reasoning that proceed in a lengthy or indirect manner.

In everyday use, circuitous is commonly applied to routes or journeys that detour or take numerous turns before reaching a destination. It can also describe a line of reasoning or discussion that avoids a straightforward answer or conclusion, often by introducing tangential details or hedging language. The term can carry a neutral descriptive sense, but it often implies inefficiency, complexity, or lack of clarity depending on context.

Etymology traces circuitous to Latin circumitus, meaning “going around,” from circum- meaning “around” and -itus forming passive participial adjectives. The word entered English via Old French circuitieux and early Modern English usage, with the sense evolving to emphasize deviation from a direct path or argument.

Related terms include roundabout, meandering, winding, and indirect. Antonyms include direct, straightforward, and linear. In formal writing, circuitous is a precise way to note unnecessary complexity or delay, while in everyday speech it may simply describe a longer travel route or a less concise explanation.