AROUND

approximately, about, close to, just about, some, roughly, more or less, around, or so

(adverb) (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct; “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”

around

(adverb) in circumference; “the trunk is ten feet around”; “the pond is two miles around”

about, around

(adverb) in the area or vicinity; “a few spectators standing about”; “hanging around”; “waited around for the next flight”

round, around

(adverb) from beginning to end; throughout; “It rains all year round on Skye”; “frigid weather the year around”

around

(adverb) by a circular or circuitous route; “He came all the way around the base”; “the road goes around the pond”

around

(adverb) in a circle or circular motion; “The wheels are spinning around”

about, around

(adverb) all around or on all sides; “dirty clothes lying around (or about)”; “let’s look about for help”; “There were trees growing all around”; “she looked around her”

around

(adverb) to a particular destination either specified or understood; “she came around to see me”; “I invited them around for supper”

about, around

(adverb) in or to a reversed position or direction; “about face”; “suddenly she turned around”

about, around

(adverb) 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)”; “traveled around in Asia”; “he needs advice from someone who’s been around”; “she sleeps around”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Preposition

around

Defining a circle or closed curve containing a thing.

(of abstract things) Centred upon; surrounding.

Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.

Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve.

Near; in the vicinity of.

At or to various places within.

Adjective

around (not comparable)

(informal, with the verb "to be") Present in the vicinity.

(informal, with the verb "to be") Alive; existing.

Adverb

around (not comparable)

So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.

So as to surround or be near.

Nearly; approximately; about.

From place to place.

From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.

(with turn, spin, etc.) So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.

Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people.

Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity.

Source: Wiktionary

A*round", adv. Etym: [Pref. a- + round.]

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.]

Note: See Round, the shorter form, adv. & prep., which, in some of the meanings, is more commonly used.

A*round", prep.

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.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

AROUND

Etymology

Preposition

Adjective

Adverb

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