about
adverb
\ ə-ˈbau̇t
\
\
Definition of about
(Entry 1 of 3)
1a
: reasonably close to
about a year ago
b
: almost
about starved just about finished
c
: on the verge of
—usually used with be and a following infinitive is about to join the army —used with a negative to express intention or determination not about to quit
2
: on all sides : around
looked about for a place to park
3a
: in rotation
They go about in circles.
b
: around the outside
4
: in many different directions : here and there
walked about for hours
5
: in the vicinity : near
He spoke to the people standing about.
6
: in the opposite direction
face about the other way about
about
prepositionDefinition of about (Entry 2 of 3)
1
: in a circle around : on every side of : around
People gathered about him.
2a
: in the immediate neighborhood of : near
Fish are abundant about the reefs.
b
: on or near the person of
had a pleasing fragrance about her
c
: in the makeup of
a mature wisdom about him
d
: at the command of
has his wits about him
3
: engaged in
… act as if they know what they're about …— T. S. Matthews
4a
: with regard to : concerning
spoke about his past
b
: concerned with
c
: fundamentally concerned with or directed toward
… poker is about money.— David Mamet
5
: over or in different parts of
He traveled about the country.
about
adjectiveDefinition of about (Entry 3 of 3)
1
: moving from place to place
specifically
: being out of bed
is up and about by 7 a.m.
2
: around sense 2
There is a scarcity of jobs about.