about

Less common meanings

7. 7
   moving aroundadverb

   Around, in many different directions or in different places.

   The dog was rushing about the whole afternoon.

   Stop jumping about and sit down.

   UsageUse after verbs like run or walk: the kids ran about.

   Similararound

8. 8
   without purposeadverb

   Used with verbs to mean wasting time or playing, as in 'messing about'.

   Stop messing about and get on with your work.

   We spent the afternoon fooling about by the river.

   UsageUsed after verbs like mess, fool and laze: stop messing about. Around works the same way.

   Similararound

9. 9
   nearbyadverb

   Nearby, in the area, as in 'people standing about'.

   The park was quiet, with only a few people about.

   There was nobody about at that hour.

   UsageYou can use about after be: is anyone about?

   Similararound

10. 10
    preposition

    Around a place or thing: all around it, in different parts of it, or near it.

    We walked about the old town all afternoon, looking at the shops.

    Toys lay scattered about the room.

    UsageMost people say around: a scarf around her neck.

    Similararound, round

    Note
11. 11
    in circulationadjective

    Existing or in circulation, present in the world for people to notice.

    There are a lot of fake twenty-dollar bills about, so check your change.

    There's a lot of flu about this winter.

    UsageOften with there are: there are lots of fakes about.

    Similararound

12. 12
    adjective

    Up and moving around, especially after illness, as in 'up and about'.

    After her knee surgery, Grandma was up and about in a week.

    We were out and about all day, so we missed your call.

    UsageSay up and about after being ill, and out and about for going places.

    Note
13. 13
    carried with youpreposition

    On your body or in your pockets, carried with you.

    Do you have a pen about you? I need to sign this.

    Have you any money about you?

    UsageMost people say on you: do you have a pen on you?

    Similaron, with

14. 14
    opposite directionadverb

    Round to face the other way, as in 'turn about' or 'the other way about'.

    Mr. Carter turned about and faced his niece.

    You have the story the other way about.

    UsageOften in the wrong way about, meaning reversed.

    Similararound, round

15. 15
    into beingadverb

    Into happening, only in 'bring about' and 'come about'.

    UsageLearn bring about (make happen) and come about (happen).

    Note
16. 16
    turn (a ship)adverb

    In sailing, round onto the other tack, as in 'go about' or 'ready about'.

    Ready about! the skipper called, and we went about.

    The yacht came about and headed for the harbor.

    Note
17. 17
    verbraretransitive or intransitive

    To turn round to face the other way, like a soldier on parade or a sailing ship.

    Mr. Whalen:] they had "abouted ship." They had changed the course to put her into the wind—

    1937, United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Amending the Merchant Marine Act of 1936Here, abouted means turned the ship around to head the other way.

    Note
18. 18
    adverbarchaic

    In old use, all the way around, measuring the distance around something.

    Indeede I am in the waste two yards about.

    c. 1597, William Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of WindsorHere, about means measured all the way around, so two yards around the waist.

    The island was a mile about, and a third of a mile across.

    Here, about means measured all the way around the island.

    Note
19. 19
    indirect wayadverbarchaic

    In old use, by a roundabout way, not straight.

    God led the people about, through the wilderness.

    God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea.

    1790, The Christian's Complete Family Bible: Containin the Whole of the Sacred Text of the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocrypha at…Here, about means by a roundabout way, not the straight route.

    Note
20. 20
    adverbobsolete

    In old use, one after another, in turn.

    Note
21. 21
    adverbobsolete

    In old use, round and round, spinning like a top.

    Prithee, do not turn me about; my stomach is not constant.

    1897, William Shakespeare, The TempestHere, about means round and round, as if spinning in a circle.

    What an Arme he has, he turn'd me about with his finger and his thumbe, as one would set up a Top.

    1908, William Shakespeare, The Tragedie of CoriolanusHere, about means round and round, spun like a top.

    Note