about
(adjective, adverb, preposition)
adjective
1. on the move
- up and about
Similar word(s): active, astir
Sentences with about as an adjective:
- out and about; up and about
- After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.
adverb
1. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
- in just about a minute
- he's about 30 years old
- I've had about all I can stand
Similar word(s): approximately, around, roughly, some
2. all around or on all sides
- dirty clothes lying around (or about)
- let's look about for help
Similar word(s): around
3. in the area or vicinity
- a few spectators standing about
Similar word(s): 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)
Similar word(s): around
5. in or to a reversed position or direction
- about face
Similar word(s): around
6. in rotation or succession
- turn about is fair play
7. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
- the job is (just) about done
Similar word(s): almost, most, near, nearly, nigh, virtually
Sentences with about as an adverb:
- about as cold; about as high
- to face about; to turn one's self about
- a mile about, and a third of a mile across
preposition
1. In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of. [First attested prior to 1150.]
2. Near; not far from; regarding approximately time, size, quantity. [First attested prior to 1150.]
3. On the point or verge of.
- the show is about to start;
4. On one's person; nearby the person. [First attested around (1150 to 1350.)]
5. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. [First attested around (1150 to 1350.)]
6. Concerned with; engaged in; intent on. [First attested around (1150 to 1350.)]
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect. [First attested around (1150 to 1350.)]
- He knew more about what was occurring than anyone.
8. (figuratively) In or near, as in mental faculties or (literally) in possession of; in control of; at one's command; in one's makeup. [First attested around (1350 to 1470.)]
- He has his wits about him.
9. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place. [First attested around (1350 to 1470.)]