about Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite on the move
    astir.
    • up and about
    • the whole town was astir over the incident
  2. adverb (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
    around; some; roughly; approximately; just about; or so; more or less; close to.
    • 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
  3. adverb all around or on all sides
    around.
    • dirty clothes lying around (or about)
    • let's look about for help
    • There were trees growing all around
    • she looked around her
  4. adverb in the area or vicinity
    around.
    • a few spectators standing about
    • hanging around
    • waited around for the next flight
  5. adverb used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
    around.
    • 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
  6. adverb in or to a reversed position or direction
    around.
    • about face
    • suddenly she turned around
  7. adverb in rotation or succession
    • turn about is fair play
  8. adverb (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
    nigh; almost; most; near; nearly; well-nigh; virtually.
    • 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

WordNet

A*bout" preposition
Etymology
OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. abutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.
Definitions
  1. Around; all round; on every side of. "Look about you." Shak. "Bind them about thy neck." Prov. iii. 3.
  2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person). "Have you much money about you?" Bulwer.
  3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
    Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses. Macaulay.
    Roving still about the world. Milton.
  4. Near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity. "To-morrow, about this time." Exod. ix. 18. "About my stature." Shak.
    He went out about the third hour. Matt. xx. 3.
    ✍ This use passes into the adverbial sense.
  5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
    I must be about my Father's business. Luke ii. 49.
  6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
    Paul was now aboutto open his mouth. Acts xviii. 14.
  7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. "To treat about thy ransom." Milton.
    She must have her way about Sarah. Trollope.
A*bout" adverb
Definitions
  1. On all sides; around.
    'Tis time to look about. Shak.
  2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
  3. Here and there; around; in one place and another.
    Wandering about from house to house. 1 Tim. v. 13.
  4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time. "There fell . . . about three thousand men." Exod. xxii. 28.
  5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.

Webster 1913