rounded

rounded — adjective

1. having a smooth, curving surface or outline without sharp angles or straight edg

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

having a smooth, curving surface or outline without sharp angles or straight edges

Example

The kitchen counter has rounded edges so that nobody gets hurt.

collocation: rounded edges

Mizuki chose a vase with a gently rounded shape for the dining table.

collocation: rounded shape

Common collocations
  • rounded edge
  • rounded corner
  • rounded shape
  • rounded arch
  • rounded curve
  • rounded shoulder
Synonyms
  • curved

    more general; can describe any bending line or surface, not necessarily smooth

  • curving

    emphasises the action or process of bending rather than the finished shape

  • smooth

    focuses on the absence of roughness rather than the absence of angles

Antonyms
  • angular

    having sharp corners or pointed edges

  • jagged

    having a rough, uneven edge with sharp points

Grammar Patterns

rounded + noun (rounded edge / rounded corner / rounded shape)

be + rounded (The arch is rounded.)

Usage Note

Frequently describes physical objects such as corners, edges, archways, and contours that curve gently rather than forming sharp points or straight lines.

Common Mistakes

The ball is rounded.
The ball is round.
'Rounded' describes a partly curved shape (like a softened corner), not a perfectly circular or spherical object.

2. having a broad range of skills, experiences, or personal qualities that together

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

having a broad range of skills, experiences, or personal qualities that together form a complete and satisfying whole

Example

A well-rounded education should include science, art, and physical exercise.

collocation: well-rounded education

Lien's rounded experience in finance and marketing made her a strong candidate for the job.

adjective used alone: rounded experience

Common collocations
  • well-rounded education
  • well-rounded person
  • well-rounded individual
  • well-rounded experience
  • rounded skills
  • rounded perspective
Synonyms
  • well-rounded

    the standard compound form of this sense; more common than rounded alone in everyday English

  • balanced

    emphasises that different parts exist in the right proportions to each other

  • versatile

    highlights the ability to adapt to many different tasks or situations

  • complete

    suggests that nothing important is missing from the whole

Antonyms
  • narrow

    limited in scope or range, the opposite of broad and varied

  • one-sided

    focused on only one aspect to the exclusion of others

Grammar Patterns

well-rounded + noun (well-rounded person / well-rounded education)

rounded + noun (rounded skills / rounded individual)

Usage Note

Most often appears in the compound well-rounded, though rounded alone is also attested. Subject is typically a person, an education, a skill set, a personality, or a life experience.

Common Mistakes

She is a rounded person who only studies mathematics.
She is a well-rounded person who enjoys mathematics, music, and sports.
Sense 2 requires variety across different areas, not expertise in just one field.

Word family

  • round
    adjectiveA1
  • round
    nounA2
  • round
    verbB1
  • roundness
    nounB2
  • roundly
    adverbC1
  • well-rounded
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

Well-rounded, balanced, versatile, and complete all describe something that has many good qualities, but they highlight different aspects. Well-rounded specifically suggests breadth across different domains — a well-rounded education covers arts, sciences, and physical development equally. Balanced emphasises proportion and harmony between parts; a balanced person manages work, family, and personal time without letting any one area dominate. Versatile focuses on adaptability to different tasks — a versatile employee can handle customer service, data analysis, and project management. Complete suggests that nothing essential is missing; a complete skill set covers every requirement of a job. For example, a student might be well-rounded because they play a sport, play an instrument, and excel in mathematics, whereas a complete candidate for a position would have all the specific qualifications listed in the job description.

well-roundedbalanced ↗versatile ↗complete ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

Rounded is the past-participle adjective of the verb round ('to give a curved shape'), which comes from the Old French rond ('circular') and ultimately from the Latin rotundus ('wheel-shaped, round'). The metaphorical sense of 'fully developed, complete' emerged in the mid-19th century and became more common in the 20th century through the compound well-rounded, originally used to describe a person whose education or character was balanced across multiple areas.