well-rounded
wel-ROWN-did
/ˌwelˈraʊn.dɪd/
Having a balanced, varied, and well-developed range of abilities, interests, or skills.
Describes a person whose education spans humanities, sciences, sports, and arts without being hyper-specialized in just one area.
The story behind the word. Combines Old English 'wel' (satisfactorily or fully) with 'rounded', drawn from Latin 'rotundus' (wheel-like or complete). In Renaissance humanism, a complete mind had no sharp or unfinished edges, smooth like a polished sphere.
Word relationships
- versatile: 'Versatile' means capable of adapting easily to many tasks, whereas 'well-rounded' emphasizes broad, balanced development across diverse fields.
- one-dimensional: Lacking breadth or variety; focused narrowly on a single discipline or topic.
Commonly confused with
- specialized: Specialized focus concentrates deeply on one narrow topic, while well-rounded development seeks balance across broad fields.
Word family
- well-roundedness (noun): The state or quality of having diverse abilities and balanced growth.
Collocations
- well-rounded education
- well-rounded individual
- well-rounded skill set
Example sentences
- "Our primary goal is to nurture well-rounded citizens who excel in academics, community service, and athletics." School Mission Statement
- "Tech firms increasingly seek well-rounded candidates who combine strong coding skills with sharp communication ability." Career Development Citation
Memory hook
A smooth sphere rolls smoothly anywhere because every side is well-rounded. Balanced without sharp, narrow edges.
When not to use
Do not use to describe physical shape or spherical objects in modern formal writing.
Fun facts
- In the 1920s, Ivy League universities introduced the concept of the 'well-rounded applicant' as part of their revised holistic admissions processes.
Related words
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