English dictionary

around Meaning & Definition

/əˈɹaʊnd/

What Does Around Mean?

Around is used as a preposition meaning Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something). It can also mean Centred upon; surrounding; regarding. As an adjective, it means Present in the vicinity. As an adverb, it means So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.

Around: Key Facts

Part of speech	preposition, adjective, adverb
Pronunciation	//əˈɹaʊnd//
Syllables	1
Synonyms	round, about and some

Around Definition (Preposition)

Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).
She wore a gold chain around her neck.
Centred upon; surrounding; regarding.
We could use some clarification around the new rules.
Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.
We walked around the football field.
Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve.
The road took a brief detour around the large rock formation, then went straight on.
Near; in the vicinity of; approximately.
I left my keys somewhere around here.
At or to various places within or throughout.
The pages from the notebook were scattered around the room.
So as to avoid something.
Our product designs around the existing patents to avoid infringing them.

Around as an Adjective

Present in the vicinity.
Is Clare around today?
Alive; existing.
The record store on Main Street? Yes, it's still around.

Around as an Adverb

So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.
High above, vultures circled around.
So as to surround or be near.
Everybody please gather around.
Nearly; approximately; about.
Around a thousand people attended.
From place to place.
There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt.
From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.
The team wasn't doing well, but the new coach really turned things around.
So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.
Turn around at the end of this street.
Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people.
I asked around, and no-one really liked it.
Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity.
sit around, mess around, loaf around

Adjective

(with the verb "to be") Present in the vicinity.
Is Clare around today?
(with the verb "to be") Alive; existing.
"How is old Bob? I heard that his health is failing." "Oh, he's still around. He's feeling better now."

Adverb

(with turn, spin etc.) So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.
She spun around a few times.

Preposition

Defining a circle or closed curve containing a thing.
I planted a row of lilies around the statue.
(of abstract things) Centred upon; surrounding.
There has been a lot of controversy around the handling of personal information.
Near; in the vicinity of.
I don't want you around me.
At or to various places within.
She went around the office and got everyone to sign the card.

Synonyms of Around

round about some just about roughly more or less approximately or so close to

Around synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Around

No antonyms or near antonyms are listed by the available sources for this entry.

Around in a Sentence

She wore a gold chain around her neck.

I planted a row of lilies around the statue.

The jackals began to gather around the carcass.

We could use some clarification around the new rules.

There has been a lot of controversy around the handling of personal information.

We walked around the football field.

She went around the track fifty times.

The road took a brief detour around the large rock formation, then went straight on.

I left my keys somewhere around here.

I left the house around 10 this morning.

I don't want you around me.

The pages from the notebook were scattered around the room.

Those teenagers like to hang around the mall.

She went around the office and got everyone to sign the card.

The estate agent showed me around the property.

She bounced around from job to job.

Our product designs around the existing patents to avoid infringing them.

Is Clare around today?

The record store on Main Street? Yes, it's still around.

"How is old Bob? I heard that his health is failing." "Oh, he's still around. He's feeling better now."

High above, vultures circled around.

Everybody please gather around.

There isn't another house for miles around.

Around a thousand people attended.

An adult elephant weighs around five tons.

There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt.

Look around and see what you find.

We moved the furniture around in the living room.

The team wasn't doing well, but the new coach really turned things around.

He used to stay up late but his new girlfriend changed that around.

The patient was unconscious but the doctor brought him around quickly.

I didn't think he would ever like the new design, but eventually we brought him around.

Turn around at the end of this street.

She spun around a few times.

I asked around, and no-one really liked it.

Shopping around can get you a better deal.

When are you going to stop whoring around, find a nice girl, and give us grandchildren?

sit around, mess around, loaf around

Word Forms & Grammar

around

around (not comparable)

Words That Rhyme With Around

Origin of Around

From Middle English around, arounde, from a- (from Old English a- (“on, at”)) + Middle English round (“circle, round”) borrowed from French, equivalent to a- +‎ round. Cognate with Scots aroond, aroon (“around”). Displaced earlier Middle English umbe, embe (“around”) (from Old English ymbe (“around”)).