crop circle: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, journalistic, specialized
Quick answer
What does “crop circle” mean?
A pattern created in a field of crops, such as wheat, by flattening the plants, typically appearing as a large geometric shape.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A pattern created in a field of crops, such as wheat, by flattening the plants, typically appearing as a large geometric shape.
A mysterious phenomenon often attributed to paranormal or extraterrestrial activity, though many are known to be human-made hoaxes. The term also refers to the general study of these formations and their cultural impact.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is identical. The phenomenon is strongly associated with the English countryside, especially Wiltshire, giving it a slightly stronger cultural presence in British English.
Connotations
In British English, it often evokes specific local history and media events (e.g., 1990s news coverage). In American English, it may be seen as a more general, imported curiosity.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in UK English due to geographic association, but widely understood in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “crop circle” in a Sentence
A crop circle appeared (in a field).They discovered a crop circle.The field contains a crop circle.To make/create a crop circle.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crop circle” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The hoaxers planned to crop-circle the field near the old monument.
- (Note: This is a highly informal, non-lexicalised back-formation from the noun.)
American English
- Some artists crop-circle as a form of large-scale land art.
adjective
British English
- The crop-circle phenomenon attracted many tourists.
- He was a well-known crop-circle researcher.
American English
- The show explored crop-circle mythology.
- They discussed crop-circle evidence.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possibly in context of tourism or media production related to the phenomenon.
Academic
Used in cultural studies, sociology, or folkloristics papers discussing modern myths and media hoaxes.
Everyday
Used when discussing mysterious events, news stories about strange occurrences in the countryside, or sceptically about hoaxes.
Technical
Used in specific literature on paranormal research or landscape art; also in agriculture when discussing crop damage.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crop circle”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “crop circle”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crop circle”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'The field was crop circled' is non-standard). Confusing it with 'crop rotation'. Spelling as one word: 'cropcircle'.
- Treating it as a mass noun (e.g., 'there is a lot of crop circle here' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The physical formations are real, but their origin is debated. While many are admitted hoaxes created by people, some proponents attribute them to natural or paranormal causes.
They are most famously associated with southern England, particularly Wiltshire, but have been reported in many countries worldwide.
They are most often created in cereal crops like wheat, barley, maize (corn), and rye, as these plants show the flattened patterns clearly.
They gained widespread international media attention in the late 1980s and especially the 1990s, often linked to claims of extraterrestrial involvement.
A pattern created in a field of crops, such as wheat, by flattening the plants, typically appearing as a large geometric shape.
Crop circle is usually informal, journalistic, specialized in register.
Crop circle: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkrɒp ˌsɜː.kəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkrɑːp ˌsɝː.kəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's not a crop circle; it's just tractor tracks. (i.e., a mundane explanation for something seemingly mysterious)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a circle cut out of a crop, like a cookie cutter pressed into a field of wheat.
Conceptual Metaphor
MYSTERY IS A PATTERN IN A FIELD; ALIEN COMMUNICATION IS A LANDSCAPE DRAWING.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'crop circle' most accurately described as?