Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Approximately, nearly: Used to indicate an imprecise quantity, number, or time that is close to the actual figure.
   • In the vicinity, nearby: Indicates being in or to a place that is near or not far away.
   • In various directions, here and there: Refers to moving or being positioned in an area without a specific destination or order.
   • In the opposite direction: Indicates a reversal of position or direction.
   • In succession, alternately: Refers to taking turns or following one after another.

2. Preposition:

   • On the subject of, concerning: Used to indicate the topic or subject matter of something.
   • In or near a place: Indicates being positioned in various parts of an area or surrounding a location.
   • Having as a central characteristic: Used to describe a quality inherent in a person or thing.
   • Ready or intending to do something: Used with the infinitive 'to be about to' to indicate something is going to happen very soon.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • The meeting lasted about an hour. (Indicates an approximate duration.)
  • Is John about? I need to speak with him. (Asks if someone is nearby.)
  • The children were running about in the park. (Describes moving in various directions.)
  • He turned about and walked away. (Describes turning to face the opposite direction.)

• Preposition:

  • We had a long discussion about politics. (Specifies the topic of the discussion.)
  • There were books scattered about the room. (Describes items being in various places within a room.)
  • There's something charming about that old house. (Describes an inherent quality.)
  • I was about to leave when the phone rang. (Indicates an imminent action that was interrupted.)

Advanced Usage

• "To be up and about": To be out of bed and active, especially after an illness.

  • She recovered quickly and was up and about in a few days.

• "What about...?" / "How about...?": Phrases used to make a suggestion or inquire about something.

  • How about we go to the cinema tonight?
  • What about your brother? Is he coming too?

• "Out and about": Active outside one's home, visiting places.

  • Now that he's retired, he enjoys being out and about in the city.

Variants and Related Words

• Roundabout (adj/n): Indirect; a circular road junction.

  • He gave a roundabout answer to avoid the question.
  • Take the third exit at the roundabout.

• Thereabout(s) (adv): Near that place, time, number, or amount.

  • The population is ten thousand or thereabouts.

Synonyms

• Approximately (adv): Roughly, close to.
• Regarding (prep): Concerning, on the subject of.
• Around (adv/prep): In the area; approximately.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Bring about (v): To cause something to happen.

  • The new policy brought about significant changes.

• Come about (v): To happen or occur.

  • How did this situation come about?

• Set about (v): To begin doing something with determination.

  • She set about cleaning the entire house.

Related Idioms

• About time: Said when something that should have happened earlier finally happens.

  • It's about time you arrived! We've been waiting for an hour.

• About face (also about-turn): A complete change of opinion or policy.

  • The company did an about-face on its decision to close the factory.

Adjective

1. on the move
   • up and about
   • the whole town was astir over the incident

Adverb

1. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
   • the job is (just) about done
   • the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
   • we're almost finished
   • the car all but ran her down
   • he nearly fainted
   • talked for nigh onto 2 hours
   • the recording is well-nigh perfect
   • virtually all the parties signed the contract
   • I was near exhausted by the run
   • most everyone agrees
2. in rotation or succession
   • turn about is fair play
3. in or to a reversed position or direction
   • about face
   • suddenly she turned around
4. used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
   • wandering about with no place to go
   • people were rushing about
   • news gets around (or about)
   • traveled around in Asia
   • he needs advice from someone who's been around
   • she sleeps around
5. in the area or vicinity
   • a few spectators standing about
   • hanging around
   • waited around for the next flight
6. all around or on all sides
   • dirty clothes lying around (or about)
   • let's look about for help
   • There were trees growing all around
   • she looked around her
7. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
   • lasted approximately an hour
   • in just about a minute
   • he's about 30 years old
   • I've had about all I can stand
   • we meet about once a month
   • some forty people came
   • weighs around a hundred pounds
   • roughly $3,000
   • holds 3 gallons, more or less
   • 20 or so people were at the party