round
round — verb
1. to travel around the outside of something, following a curved path that partly o
to travel around the outside of something, following a curved path that partly or completely surrounds it
The race track rounds the lake before heading back to the finish line.
collocation: round + physical landmark (lake, corner, bend)
Vinícius carefully rounded the corner and saw the old market ahead.
A high stone wall rounds the entire palace garden to keep it private.
The hiking path rounds the mountain and offers views of the valley below.
The ship rounded the tip of the island and entered the calm bay.
文法句型
round + noun phrase (corner, bend, island, wall, building)
用法筆記
Object is typically a physical landmark such as a corner, bend, island, or building. The sense emphasises movement along a curved trajectory past or around an obstacle.
常見錯誤
2. in football or similar sports, to move past an opposing player who is trying to
in football or similar sports, to move past an opposing player who is trying to take the ball from you, keeping possession of the ball as you go
Élise rounded the goalkeeper and scored easily into the empty net.
football context: round + goalkeeper
Ryo rounded two defenders before passing the ball to a teammate.
The young striker tried to round the defender but lost the ball.
Kabir rounded the full-back with a quick change of direction and crossed the ball.
- dribble past
more general term for moving past a defender with the ball; 'round' implies a curved path around them
- beat
broader sports term covering any way of getting past an opponent
文法句型
round + opponent (goalkeeper, defender, full-back)
用法筆記
Common in British football commentary and match reports. The object is usually a goalkeeper or a defender. Less common in American English, where 'dribble past' is preferred.
3. to form something into a curved shape, or to become curved and full in shape
to form something into a curved shape, or to become curved and full in shape
Mayumi rounded the corners of the wooden table using sandpaper.
transitive: round + object + tool phrase
The potter rounded the wet clay with gentle hands on the spinning wheel.
As the fruit ripened, the small green berries rounded and turned bright red.
Renata rounded the dough into smooth balls before placing them on the tray.
The sculptor patiently rounded every edge of the stone until it felt smooth.
文法句型
transitive: round + object (clay, dough, corners, edges)
intransitive: subject + rounds (fruit, shoulders, shape)
常見錯誤
4. to change an exact number to the nearest whole number, ten, hundred, or other un
to change an exact number to the nearest whole number, ten, hundred, or other unit, in order to make it simpler or easier to use
Omar rounded each price to the nearest dollar for the final bill.
pattern: round + number + to + [unit]
When calculating the budget, Sana rounded every figure to the nearest hundred.
Zuri rounded 3.75 up to 4 because the decimal was greater than 0.5.
The teacher asked the class to round 247 to the nearest ten.
Paul rounded the survey results to whole percentages before sharing the report.
- approximate
broader term for expressing a number in a simpler form; 'round' specifies the method
- estimate
suggests a looser approximation, whereas 'round' follows a precise mathematical rule
文法句型
round + number + to + nearest unit (whole number, ten, hundred)
用法筆記
Typically followed by a phrase beginning with 'to' that specifies the target unit (to the nearest ten, to two decimal places). Also common in the phrasal forms 'round up' and 'round down' for specifying direction.
常見錯誤
round — noun
1. a connected series of events, actions, or items that happen one after another as
a connected series of events, actions, or items that happen one after another as part of a larger process.
The latest round of peace talks between the two countries ended without an agreement.
collocation: round of talks
After another round of layoffs, only half of the original staff remained at the company.
collocation: round of layoffs
The children received another round of applause after their dance performance.
We went through several rounds of interviews before the job offer finally arrived.
Bilal completed another round of chemotherapy at the hospital last week.
文法句型
a round of + noun
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' plus a noun describing the type of event or activity involved.
常見錯誤
2. an occasion when one person buys alcoholic drinks for everyone in their group, e
an occasion when one person buys alcoholic drinks for everyone in their group, especially at a bar or restaurant.
Ingrid said the drinks were on her and ordered a round for the whole table.
verb pattern: order a round for [group]
Liam went to the bar and bought a round of beers for his friends.
It was Christopher's turn to get the next round, so he called the waiter over.
After the game, the team crowded around the bar and shared several rounds together.
Imani offered to buy a round of soft drinks since she was the designated driver.
文法句型
a round of + drink type
buy/get/order a round
用法筆記
Commonly used with 'buy', 'get', or 'order'. Can be used with non-alcoholic drinks, though most typical with alcohol.
常見錯誤
3. a single serving of food in the shape of a slice, such as a piece of toast, a sa
a single serving of food in the shape of a slice, such as a piece of toast, a sandwich, or another bread item.
Andrés ate two rounds of toast with butter for breakfast this morning.
collocation: round of toast
Putri prepared several rounds of sandwiches for the family picnic in the park.
The café served each customer a round of buttered bread with their soup.
Saira toasted a round of bread and spread jam on it for a quick snack.
- slice
more general and neutral; common in both British and American English
文法句型
a round of + bread type
用法筆記
Mainly British English. In American English, 'slice' is more common for this meaning.
常見錯誤
4. a regular journey or set of visits that someone makes as part of their job, such
a regular journey or set of visits that someone makes as part of their job, such as delivering goods or checking on people.
The postman starts his round at six o'clock every morning without fail.
verb pattern: do/make one's round
Dr. Okafor does a round of all the hospital patients before lunch each day.
The security guard makes a round of the building every two hours during the night.
The milkman's round used to cover more than fifty houses in this neighbourhood.
Eli's newspaper round takes him about an hour each morning before school.
文法句型
possession + round
do/make one's round
用法筆記
Frequently used with possessive determiners or nouns (his round, the doctor's round). Often paired with 'do' or 'make' (do one's round, make a round).
常見錯誤
5. a song or piece of music in which two or more groups of singers start the same t
a song or piece of music in which two or more groups of singers start the same tune at different times, creating overlapping parts that fit together harmoniously.
The music teacher taught the class a simple round called 'Frère Jacques'.
register: music domain
Bilal's choir performed a beautiful round at the school concert last winter.
In music class, the children split into three groups and sang a round together.
The round started with one voice, then a second group joined several bars later.
Singing a round helps young students learn about harmony and listening to others.
- canon
a more formal musical term; a round is a specific type of canon
文法句型
sing a round
用法筆記
Often taught in school music classes. The most famous English example is 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'.
6. a stage or division within a competition, contest, or tournament, where some par
a stage or division within a competition, contest, or tournament, where some participants are eliminated.
Our school team made it to the final round of the national debate tournament.
collocation: final round
Ingrid won the first round of the tennis match but lost in the second round.
The next round of the competition will take place in Taipei next month.
Each round of the quiz tournament gets harder than the one before it.
Liam scored the highest in the qualifying round and advanced to the main event.
文法句型
the + ordinal + round
round of + number
用法筆記
Use ordinal numbers (first round, second round) or modifiers (qualifying round, final round) to specify the stage. Distinguish from 'round' meaning a timed period in boxing or wrestling, which is a separate sense.
常見錯誤
7. one of several timed parts into which a boxing match or wrestling contest is div
one of several timed parts into which a boxing match or wrestling contest is divided, with short breaks between them
Dewi knocked her opponent down in the third round of the match.
third round — ordinal number before round
After five exhausting rounds, the referee finally declared a draw.
Each round in professional boxing lasts three full minutes.
Cyrus was exhausted but focused as the final round began.
The crowd cheered wildly during the opening round of the fight.
- bout
refers to the entire match, not a single segment within it
用法筆記
Frequently used with ordinal numbers (first, second, final) or adjectives like opening and closing to indicate position within the match.
常見錯誤
8. a single complete play of golf over eighteen holes, from the first tee to the fi
a single complete play of golf over eighteen holes, from the first tee to the final hole
Lucía played a round of golf with her father on Saturday morning.
a round of golf — standard collocation
The first round of the championship tournament begins at seven o'clock.
Brandon completed his best round ever with only sixty-five strokes.
A typical round of golf includes eighteen holes and takes about four hours.
Members of the golf club play a round together every Sunday afternoon.
用法筆記
Almost always used in the phrase a round of golf. The number of holes (usually eighteen) is implied but can be specified when the format differs.
9. a single bullet or cartridge for firing from a gun once
a single bullet or cartridge for firing from a gun once
The soldier loaded a single round into the rifle and aimed carefully.
loaded a single round into — verb + object + preposition
Only three rounds remained in Élise's pocket after the shooting practice.
Each round of this ammunition costs about one dollar at the store.
Sivan heard a single round fired from somewhere deep in the forest.
The officer found several spent rounds on the ground near the fence.
用法筆記
Countable and often used with numbers (three rounds, a single round). Spent rounds refers to cartridge cases left after firing.
常見錯誤
10. a short burst of clapping and cheering from an audience after a performance or s
a short burst of clapping and cheering from an audience after a performance or speech
The singer received a warm round of applause at the end of her song.
round of applause — fixed collocation
A loud round of applause filled the hall after the speech ended.
Tara smiled and bowed as another round of applause broke out.
There was a polite round of applause, but nobody stood to cheer.
The audience gave the dancers a long and enthusiastic round of applause.
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in the fixed phrase a round of applause. Unlike other senses, this one is always paired with applause and cannot stand alone (*'a loud round' without context).
常見錯誤
round — adjective
1. having a curved outer edge or surface, with no straight lines or sharp corners —
having a curved outer edge or surface, with no straight lines or sharp corners — like a circle, a ball, or a smooth bend.
The old wooden table had a round surface that could seat eight people.
attributive: round + noun (round surface)
A round pebble rested in the palm of Esteban's hand, smooth and cool.
The children sat in a round circle while the teacher read a story.
Élise drew a round face with two small eyes and a smiling mouth.
The moon was round and bright in the clear night sky.
文法句型
round + noun
be + round
用法筆記
Can describe both flat circular objects (a round coin) and three-dimensional spheres (a round ball). Frequently placed before the noun (a round window) or after a linking verb (the window is round).
常見錯誤
2. describes a number expressed in simple whole units like 10, 100, or 1,000, rathe
describes a number expressed in simple whole units like 10, 100, or 1,000, rather than as a detailed count with smaller amounts, to make it easier to say or remember.
Kemi asked for a round figure instead of the exact price with cents.
collocation: round figure
The charity report showed donations in round numbers, like $10,000 or $25,000.
In round figures, the company earned about three million dollars this year.
When the host asked for a count, Padma gave a round estimate of five hundred.
Prices in the catalog were listed in round figures to make them easier to read.
- approximate
broader than 'round'; can describe any estimate, not just numbers ending in zero
- whole
focuses on the absence of fractional parts
文法句型
round + noun (figure, number, estimate, sum)
in round figures/numbers
用法筆記
Only used before a noun — you cannot say 'this number is round' to mean approximate. Often found in the fixed phrases 'in round numbers' and 'in round figures'. Grammatically, it combines with number words (a round 500) or with nouns like figure, sum, estimate.
常見錯誤
round — adverb
1. moving in a circular path, turning to the opposite side, or going to various pla
moving in a circular path, turning to the opposite side, or going to various places within an area.
The wheels of the bicycle spun round as Hiro raced down the hill.
spin round — circular movement of an object
Felipe turned round when he heard someone call his name from behind.
turn round — change to the opposite direction
Wei passed the dish of dumplings round so each guest could take one.
The children ran round in the garden chasing butterflies all afternoon.
A strong wind blew the leaves round and round in the empty car park.
文法句型
turn + round
go + round
pass + round
look + round
spin + round
用法筆記
Primarily British English; American English prefers 'around' in nearly all adverbial uses. Common verbs paired with 'round' include turn, go, come, pass, look, spin, and run. The repeated form 'round and round' emphasises continuous circular movement.
常見錯誤
2. through an entire period of time, from the beginning to the end without stopping
through an entire period of time, from the beginning to the end without stopping.
The café on the main street stays open all year round, including holidays.
all year round — the most common pattern
Mayumi wears sandals all year round because the climate is warm.
The community garden grows vegetables all year round under a glass cover.
Christopher works on his boat all year round, fixing it bit by bit.
The market sells fresh flowers all year round, even in the coldest months.
- throughout
more formal and can be used before the time period, e.g., 'throughout the year'
- all year long
common in American English; 'long' replaces 'round'
- seasonally
describes something that only happens during a particular part of the year
文法句型
all + [time period] + round
all year round
all summer round
用法筆記
This sense most frequently appears in the fixed expression 'all year round'. It can also occur with other time periods such as 'all summer round' or 'all the year round', but 'all year round' is by far the most common. Less common in American English, where 'all year long' or simply 'all year' are preferred.
常見錯誤
round — preposition
1. moving in a curved path that surrounds a person or thing, or positioned so that
moving in a curved path that surrounds a person or thing, or positioned so that something is at the middle of other objects.
The Earth travels round the Sun in a large oval path.
travel round — orbital or circular movement
Yara wrapped a thin belt round her waist before the party.
wrap round [body part] — encircling
The runners ran round the track three times before stopping.
A metal fence runs all the way round the garden.
文法句型
round + noun phrase
round + the + noun
用法筆記
More common in British English than American English, where 'around' is typically preferred in most contexts.
常見錯誤
2. moving through or staying in various spots across a particular location.
moving through or staying in various spots across a particular location.
The children ran round the park looking for their lost ball.
run round [place] — moving across an area
Élise showed her family round the new house room by room.
show [someone] round [place] — giving a tour
Food stalls are set up all round the festival grounds.
Quan looked round the library but could not find the book.
- throughout
suggests every single part without exception; more formal
- about
common in British English for moving across an area, e.g., 'walk about the town'
文法句型
round + place noun
look round + place
walk round + place
用法筆記
Often used with verbs of movement or searching such as 'walk', 'look', 'show', 'wander'. The object is always a location or area, not a specific item.
常見錯誤
3. positioned on several or all sides of a person or thing, so that the central ite
positioned on several or all sides of a person or thing, so that the central item is enclosed or partly enclosed.
The children sat round the dinner table, waiting for the food.
sit round [table] — gathering on multiple sides
Tall trees stood round the small wooden cabin in the woods.
A crowd of people gathered round the musician in the square.
The hills round the village are covered with green grass.
- surrounding
a preposition-like adjective; 'surrounding' draws attention to the enclosed feeling more directly
- about
more formal and literary for this sense, e.g., 'the hills about the town'
文法句型
round + noun phrase
round + the + noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (circular path), this sense focuses on static position — things are already on multiple sides rather than moving in a circle.
常見錯誤
4. going or pointing toward a particular place, often one that is close by, or foll
going or pointing toward a particular place, often one that is close by, or following a route that changes direction.
Theo went round to the café on the corner for a cup of tea.
go round to [place] — visiting a nearby location
The path leads round the back of the school to the playground.
Rachel turned round the corner and almost bumped into her teacher.
The cat ran round the side of the house when it heard the dog.
文法句型
round + the + direction word
round to + place
用法筆記
Often used with movement verbs like 'go', 'come', 'turn', 'run', 'walk'. The object is typically a place, a corner, or a directional landmark, not a person.