circulare

Circulare is a term used in several Romance languages to denote a circular note, usually an official memorandum or directive circulated to a broad audience. In English, the word circulare is rarely used today; the more common term is circular or circular letter. The sense traces to Latin circularius, meaning pertaining to a circle.

In usage, circulares are issued by governments, ministries, corporations, schools, or other organizations to convey information, rules, procedures, or policies to many recipients. They may be internal, circulated among staff or members, or public, published for general dissemination. Circulars can range from polite notices to formal directives and may specify deadlines, obligations, or actions required.

In Italian, circolare (plural circolari) denotes such a document: for example, a ministerial circular instructing schools on a policy; in Spanish and Portuguese-speaking contexts, circulares serve similarly as official memos. In English-language contexts, circular or circular letter is standard, and circular resolutions may refer to documents circulated among directors to obtain approval without a meeting.

The term also appears in historical or legal writing, where circulares were used to convey legal interpretations or guidelines to multiple authorities or agencies. With the rise of digital communications, circulares are increasingly distributed via email lists or intranet portals, sometimes with formal archival requirements.

See also: circular letter, memorandum, directive.