about Meaning & Definition
What Does About Mean?
About is a preposition that means In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around. It can also mean Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. As an adverb, it means On all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around. As an adjective, it means Moving around or in motion; astir.
About in Brief
| Part of speech | preposition, adverb, adjective, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /əˈbaʊ̯t/ |
| Synonyms | virtually, near and well-nigh |
| Verb forms | abouts, abouting, abouted |
About Definition (Preposition)
- In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around.
The snake was coiled about his ankle.
- Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Rubbish was strewn about the place.
- Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something. See about to. On the point or verge of.
- See about to.
- On the point or verge of.
- Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of.
He talked a lot about his childhood.
- Concerned or occupied with; engaged in; intent on.
just going about their business
- Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
I can’t find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
- On or near (one’s person).
I had no weapon about me but a stick.
- Attached as an attribute to; in the makeup of, or at the command of.
He has his wits about him.
About as an Adverb
- On all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around.
I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
- Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
Bits of old machinery were lying about.
- From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
walking about; rushing about; jumping about; thrashing about
- Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
messing about; fooling about; loafing about
- Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
It’s about as cold as it was last winter.
- Near; in the vicinity.
- To a reversed order, direction, or condition; half round; in (or to, or from) the opposite direction.
to face about; to turn oneself about
- To the opposite tack: see go about.
We went about and headed offshore.
- In succession, one after another.
- In rotation or revolution.
- In the course of events.
to bring about, to come about
- In circuit or circumference; circularly.
The island was a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
- By a circuitous way; circuitously.
About as an Adjective
- Moving around or in motion; astir.
out and about; up and about
- In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.
- Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
About as a Verb
- To change the course of (a ship) to the other tack; to bring (a ship) about.
- To about-face (turn 180 degrees, like a soldier).
Synonyms of About
About in a Sentence
The snake was coiled about his ankle.
Rubbish was strewn about the place.
The children were running about the room.
He was well known about town.
He talked a lot about his childhood.
We must do something about this problem.
He is very mad about all the pranks.
just going about their business
Have you much hay about?
“What’s Mary doin'?” “Oh! oo’s about th’ butter.”
I can’t find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
John’s in the garden, probably somewhere about the woodshed.
I had no weapon about me but a stick.
The policy covers all belongings and other personal things that somebody can carry about them.
He has his wits about him.
There was an air of confidence about the woman.
I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
Bits of old machinery were lying about.
walking about; rushing about; jumping about; thrashing about
messing about; fooling about; loafing about
It’s about as cold as it was last winter.
He owes me about three hundred dollars.
Dinner’s about ready.
I was so scared, I about fainted.
I’ll see you at about 4 o'clock; I'll see you about a year from now.
The next conference will be held about a year from now in a venue about six miles from here.
to face about; to turn oneself about
We went about and headed offshore.
to bring about, to come about
The island was a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
out and about; up and about
After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.
This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.
I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
Watch out, there's a thief about.
Word Forms & Grammar
about
about (not comparable)
about (third-person singular simple present abouts, present participle abouting, simple past and past participle abouted)
Words That Rhyme With About
Origin of About
Origin 1: Preposition and adverb from Middle English aboute, abouten, from Old English abūtan,[1] onbūtan, from on (“in, on”) + būtan (“outside of”) (compare modern English but, bout),[2] itself from be (“by”) + ūtan (“outside”);[3] equivalent to on + be + out or on + but. Cognate with Old Frisian abûta (“outside; except”). Not related to bout (“period of time”)
Origin 2: Adjective from Middle English about (adverb).
About: Your Questions Answered
Is about a preposition or an adverb?
About is mainly used as a preposition, but it can also be used as an adverb, an adjective and a verb.
What is another word for about?
Close synonyms of about are virtually, near and well-nigh. See the full list of about synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of about?
The past tense of about is abouted. The present participle is abouting.