about

/ə'baut/
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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

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