around Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb in the area or vicinity
    about.
    • a few spectators standing about
    • hanging around
    • waited around for the next flight
  2. adverb by a circular or circuitous route
    • He came all the way around the base
    • the road goes around the pond
  3. adverb used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
    about.
    • 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
  4. adverb in a circle or circular motion
    • The wheels are spinning around
  5. adverb (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
    about; 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
  6. adverb in or to a reversed position or direction
    about.
    • about face
    • suddenly she turned around
  7. adverb to a particular destination either specified or understood
    • she came around to see me
    • I invited them around for supper
  8. adverb all around or on all sides
    about.
    • dirty clothes lying around (or about)
    • let's look about for help
    • There were trees growing all around
    • she looked around her
  9. adverb in circumference
    • the trunk is ten feet around
    • the pond is two miles around
  10. adverb from beginning to end; throughout
    round.
    • It rains all year round on Skye
    • frigid weather the year around

WordNet

A*round" adverb
Etymology
Pref. a- + round.
Definitions
  1. In a circle; circularly; on every side; round.
  2. In a circuit; here and there within the surrounding space; all about; as, to travel around from town to town.
  3. Near; in the neighborhood; as, this man was standing around when the fight took place. Colloq. U. S. ✍ See Round, the shorter form, adv. & prep., which, in some of the meanings, is more commonly used.
A*round" preposition
Definitions
  1. On all sides of; encircling; encompassing; so as to make the circuit of; about.
    A lambent flame arose, which gently spread Around his brows. Dryden.
  2. From one part to another of; at random through; about; on another side of; as, to travel around the country; a house standing around the corner. Colloq. U. S.

Webster 1913