1 C1 neutral
To move in expanding circles away from a central starting point, as in a search pattern or ripple effect
"The rescue teams circled out from the last known location of the missing hikers."
circle out
C1 neutral intransitive
To move in an outward spiral or circular pattern away from a central point (uncommon, mostly literal)
In plain English
To move away from the middle in a circular or spiral pattern, going further and further out
What does "circle out" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To circle (move in a circle) outward (away from the centre)
Actually means
To move away from the middle in a circular or spiral pattern, going further and further out
Usage tip
Uncommon and not widely standardised as a phrasal verb. Used mainly in literal, physical descriptions of movement — e.g. search patterns, military manoeuvres, or the natural movement of ripples in water. Learners are more likely to encounter and need 'circle back' or 'circle in' than this form.
Words that pair with "circle out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
ripples search pattern formation troops waves
How to conjugate "circle out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
circle out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
circles out
he/she/it
Past simple
circled out
yesterday
Past participle
circled out
have + pp
-ing form
circling out
continuous
Hear "circle out" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "circle out" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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