ADJ

complete, full
The stones form a complete circle. How long does it take for the dial to rotate through a full circle?
concentric
widening
The water rippled in widening circles round the fountain
overlapping
a design of overlapping circles
tight
He turned the car in a tight circle
half
Antarctic, Arctic, polar

VERB + CIRCLE

draw
describe (technical) , go around/round in
If you follow the road signs you will simply find yourself going round in a circle
form, make
cut out

PREP

in a/the ~
The children stood in a circle. The planets move in circles round the sun
~ of

PHRASES

the area/circumference/diameter/radius of a circle, the centre/ middle of a circle

ADJ

wide
She has a wide circle of acquaintances
narrow, small
charmed, close/closed, intimate, magic, select
He invited only a select circle of friends to the wedding
exalted, high
immediate
They treat anyone outside their immediate circle with suspicion
inner
He's joined the inner circles of the court early in his career
academic, aristocratic, artistic, business, court, diplomatic, government, intellectual, literary, official, political, royal, social, sporting, theatrical ~s
She moves in the highest social circles
family

VERB + CIRCLE

have
move in
My brother and I move in completely different circles (= we have very different friends)
join
widen
You need to widen your circle of friends

PREP

in a/the ~
Talk of religion was forbidden in the family circle. friends in government circles

PHRASES

a circle of acquaintances/admirers/friends

ADJ

dress, upper
Our seats are in the front row of the dress circle

ADV

slowly
The helicopter was circling slowly, very low
overhead
A buzzard was circling overhead

PREP

above
Several airliners were circling above the airport
around/round
The vultures were already circling around the dead animal

PHRASES

circle sth in black, red, etc.
She circled her birthday in red on the calendar