SKIP TO CONTENT

cyclical

/ˈsɪklɪkəl/

/ˈsɪklɪkəl/

Though day-to-day weather changes are unpredictable, nature’s seasons can always be counted on to move in cyclical or predictable patterns.

Cyclical is used to describe things that are regularly patterned or that occur in regular intervals. The root of cyclical is “cycle” which means movement in a circular fashion, or the circular fashion itself. Planets orbit the sun in cyclical patterns, the moon’s phases are cyclical as well. Some stock brokers say that the market is cyclical, but that may be just a way of telling people to keep investing when it's down.

Definitions of cyclical
  1. adjective
    recurring in cycles
    synonyms: cyclic
    alternate, alternating
    occurring by turns; first one and then the other
    alternate
    every second one of a series
    circular, orbitual, rotary
    describing a circle; moving in a circle
    see moresee less
    Antonyms:
    noncyclic, noncyclical
    not cyclic
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘cyclical'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family
EDITOR'S CHOICE

Look up cyclical for the last time

Close your vocabulary gaps with personalized learning that focuses on teaching the words you need to know.

VocabTrainer - Vocabulary.com's Vocabulary Trainer