Definition
Meaning of 'about'
Meaning of 'about' (Webster Dictionary)
1. About 
[ adv.]
- On all sides; around. [ adv.]- In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
- Here and there; around; in one place and another.
- Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time.
- To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.
2. About [ prep.]
- Around; all round; on every side of. [ prep.]- In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
- Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
- Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity.
- In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
- On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
- Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
Meaning of 'about' (Princeton's WordNet)
1. about [ r]
[ r]Meaning (1):
- in the area or vicinity
- in the area or vicinity
Example in sentence:
- a few spectators standing about;
- hanging around;
- waited around for the next flight
Meaning (2):
- in or to a reversed position or direction
- in or to a reversed position or direction
Example in sentence:
- about face;
- suddenly she turned around
Meaning (3):
- all around or on all sides
- all around or on all sides
Example in sentence:
- dirty clothes lying around (or about);
- let's look about for help;
- she looked around her;
- There were trees growing all around
Meaning (4):
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
Example in sentence:
- 20 or so people were at the party;
- he's about 30 years old;
- holds 3 gallons, more or less;
- I've had about all I can stand;
- in just about a minute;
- lasted approximately an hour;
- roughly $3,000;
- some forty people came;
- we meet about once a month;
- weighs around a hundred pounds
Meaning (5):
- (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
- (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
Example in sentence:
- he nearly fainted;
- I was near exhausted by the run;
- most everyone agrees;
- talked for nigh onto 2 hours;
- the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded;
- the car all but ran her down;
- the job is (just) about done;
- the recording is well-nigh perfect;
- virtually all the parties signed the contract;
- we're almost finished
Meaning (6):
- in rotation or succession
- in rotation or succession
Example in sentence:
- turn about is fair play
Meaning (7):
- used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
- used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
Example in sentence:
- he needs advice from someone who's been around;
- news gets around (or about);
- people were rushing about;
- she sleeps around;
- traveled around in Asia;
- wandering about with no place to go
2. about [ s]
[ s]Meaning (8):
- on the move
- on the move
Example in sentence:
- the whole town was astir over the incident;
- up and about
Nearby Topics:
See 'about' also in:
Recent Article
Categories
- Business Studies
- Banking & Finance
- Management & Organization Studies
- HRM & Labor Studies
- Management Information System
- Accounting & Auditing
- Marketing & Public Relations
- Entrepreneurship & Small Business
- Psychology & Behavioral Science
- Computer Programming
- Automotive Engineering
- Computer Networking
- Medical & Health Science
- Microbiology