cyclic

/ˈsaɪklɪk/

/ˈsɪklɪk/

Other forms: cyclically

The adjective cyclic describes something that happens so regularly, you can predict it, like the cyclic trips to buy notebooks and sneakers when preparing for a new school year.

Accent the first syllable in cyclic: "SICK-lick." Something that is cyclic follows a cycle, a sequence in which things begin and end in a predictable rhythm. Cycle comes from the Greek word kyklos, meaning "circle, wheel, any circular body, circular motion, cycle of events." So something that is cyclic shares that same pattern.

Definitions of cyclic

1. adjective

   marked by repeated cycles
   synonyms:

   periodic, periodical

   happening or recurring at regular intervals
2. adjective

   recurring in cycles
   synonyms: cyclical

   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

   antonyms:

   noncyclic

   not cyclic
3. adjective

   conforming to the Carnot cycle
4. adjective

   forming a whorl or having parts arranged in a whorl
   “cyclic petals”

   “cyclic flowers”

   synonyms:

   verticillate, verticillated, whorled

   forming one or more whorls (especially a whorl of leaves around a stem)

   antonyms:

   acyclic

   not cyclic; especially having parts arranged in spirals rather than whorls
5. adjective

   of a compound having atoms arranged in a ring structure
   synonyms:

   bicyclic

   having molecules consisting of two fused rings

   closed-chain, closed-ring

   having atoms linked by bonds represented in circular or triangular form

   heterocyclic

   containing a closed ring of atoms of which at least one is not a carbon atom

   homocyclic, isocyclic

   containing a closed ring of atoms of the same kind especially carbon atoms

   antonyms:

   acyclic

   having an open chain structure

   aliphatic

   having carbon atoms linked in open chains