circulate
circulate — verb
1. When a liquid or gas moves steadily through a space or a closed system — for exa
When a liquid or gas moves steadily through a space or a closed system — for example, warm air travelling through a building's heating ducts, or blood flowing around the body.
Warm water circulates through the pipes to heat the whole house.
circulates through [system] — preposition pattern
The ceiling fan helps the air circulate around the small bedroom.
help + object + infinitive: help the air circulate
Blood circulates from the heart to every part of the human body.
The pump circulates the pool water through a set of filters.
- flow
more general; does not imply a closed system or return to a starting point
- move around
less formal and less precise than 'circulate'
- stagnate
to stop moving and become still
文法句型
circulate through/around something
circulate something through/in something
用法筆記
Frequently used with prepositions like 'through', 'around', and 'in'. Common in technical contexts such as heating, plumbing, and biology (blood circulation).
常見錯誤
2. When a piece of news, a rumour, a story, or an idea travels through a group of p
When a piece of news, a rumour, a story, or an idea travels through a group of people and gradually reaches a large number of them.
A rumour about the factory closure began to circulate among the workers.
circulate among [group] — passive spread pattern
The video of the stray dog's rescue quickly circulated across social media.
quickly circulate across [platform] — speed + medium
Someone had circulated a false report about the school before the board could respond.
News of the scholarship programme circulated through the college within a day.
- suppress
to stop information from becoming known
文法句型
circulate among/between people
circulate something to somebody
circulate that...
用法筆記
Often used for rumours, unofficial news, or information that spreads without a clear source. The transitive form implies someone actively passed it on.
常見錯誤
3. To send a document, a piece of information, or an item to every person in a part
To send a document, a piece of information, or an item to every person in a particular group — for example, emailing a report to all team members or passing a notice around an office.
The principal circulated the exam schedule to all teachers by Monday morning.
formal: circulated [document] to [group] by [deadline]
Please circulate the updated policy to every department before the end of the week.
imperative: please + circulate + object + to [recipient]
Dr. Okafor circulated a list of safety guidelines among the research team.
Aiko circulated a sign-up sheet around the office for the charity bake sale.
- distribute
more general; can include physical and digital delivery, and may not require each person to see the item
- send around
informal; common in office talk
- pass around
implies the item goes from person to person physically
文法句型
circulate something to somebody
circulate something among somebody
用法筆記
Mostly used in workplace, academic, or official contexts. The focus is on the sender's deliberate action of ensuring everyone receives the material.
常見錯誤
4. To walk around a social gathering and have brief conversations with many differe
To walk around a social gathering and have brief conversations with many different people you meet there — for example, chatting with various guests at a wedding reception or conference dinner.
At the wedding reception, Priya circulated among the tables and chatted with each family.
circulated among [group] — social context pattern
The host spent the whole evening circulating and making sure no guest felt left out.
spend time + circulating — continuous activity pattern
Kofi felt nervous but tried his best to circulate at the alumni dinner.
At the gallery opening, Yara circulated through the crowd and greeted the artists.
文法句型
circulate among guests/people
circulate at a party/event
用法筆記
Always intransitive. Used exclusively in social settings such as parties, galas, conferences, and receptions. More specific than 'socialise' because it implies moving between people rather than staying in one spot.