around

1. 1
   roughlyadverb

   Close to a certain number or amount, but not exact.

   Like saying "about" when you don't know the exact number.

   There were around twenty people at the party.

   The repairs will cost around fifty dollars.

   UsagePut it before a number or time: around ten people, around six o'clock.

   Similarabout, approximately, roughly, some

   Oppositeexactly, precisely

2. 2
   all overpreposition

   In or to many different parts of a place.

   Books were lying around the house.

   She left little notes around the office.

   Similarthroughout, across, round, about

3. 3
   near a placepreposition

   Close to a place or thing, not far from it.

   There are good cafés around the station.

   Is there a good place to eat around here?

   UsageAround here means near this place.

   Similarnear, round, by

4. 4
   preposition

   In a ring that surrounds something on all sides.

   She tied a ribbon around the box.

   A wooden fence runs around the whole yard.

   Similarround, about

   Note
5. 5
   all overadverb

   From place to place or person to person, sometimes to explore, search, or ask questions.

   We walked around for hours before lunch.

   She moved around a lot as a child.

   UsageUsed with verbs like look around and walk around.

   Similarabout

   Note
6. 6
   centered onpreposition

   About a subject or idea, or centered on it.

   There are a lot of questions around the new school rules.

   Their plans are built around the weather.

   UsageOften revolve around or center around a topic.

   Similarround, about

   Note
7. 7
   presentadjectivecolloquialnot before a noun

   Nearby and able to be found or seen.

   Is your sister around today?

   No one was around to help us.

   UsageCommon in questions like Will you be around later?

   Similarabout, available, nearby, present

   Oppositeaway, absent, out, unavailable

8. 8
   adverb

   Used with a verb to show doing something with no real purpose.

   Quit goofing around and get to work.

   They sat around doing nothing all afternoon.

   UsageUsed in mess around, sit around and hang around.

   Similarabout

9. 9
   full lappreposition

   All the way along the edge of something and back to the start.

   They walked around the lake in two hours.

   The path goes around the pond and back.

   Similarround

10. 10
    adverb

    In a way that moves in a circle or loop.

    The toy train goes around in a loop.

    The hands of the clock move around all day.

    Similarround

11. 11
    adjectivecolloquialnot before a noun

    Still alive, or still here in the world.

    My great-aunt is still around and healthy.

    Not many of those old shops are around anymore.

    UsageOften used in still around or been around for a long time.

    Similaralive, living, extant

    Oppositedead, gone, extinct, defunct

12. 12
    round a bendpreposition

    Along a curved path that bends past something.

    The path goes around the big rock.

    She steered carefully around the puddle.

    UsageAround the corner is very common. Just around the corner can mean soon.

    Similarround

    Note

Showing meanings only. Show all 17