1
a
: reasonably close to
about a year ago
b
: almost
about starved
just about finished
c
: on the verge of
—usually used with be and a following infinitive
is about to join the army
—used with a negative to express intention or determinationnot about to quit
2
: on all sides : around
looked about for a place to park
3
a
: in rotation
They go about in circles.
b
: around the outside
4
: in many different directions : here and there
walked about for hours
5
: in the vicinity : near
He spoke to the people standing about.
6
: in the opposite direction
face about
the other way about
1
: in a circle around : on every side of : around
People gathered about him.
2
a
: in the immediate neighborhood of : near
Fish are abundant about the reefs.
b
: on or near the person of
had a pleasing fragrance about her
c
: in the makeup of
a mature wisdom about him
d
: at the command of
has his wits about him
3
: engaged in
… act as if they know what they're about …—
T. S. Matthews
T. S. Matthews4
a
: with regard to : concerning
spoke about his past
b
: concerned with
c
: fundamentally concerned with or directed toward
… poker is about money.—David Mamet
David Mamet5
: over or in different parts of
He traveled about the country.
1
: moving from place to place
specifically
: being out of bed
is up and about by 7 a.m.
2
: around sense 2
There is a scarcity of jobs about.
Synonyms
Examples of about in a Sentence
Adverb
We're about ready to go.
This one is about as bad as that one.
That's about all I know at this point.
It's about time to go.
That's about all the time we have.
We tried just about everything we could think of.
Preposition
a poignant story about a young man who goes off to war
about the hedge there was a picket fence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
The two hunted all day with just one break for lunch when, finally, a doe came trotting by at about 5:30 p.m.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
When the teacher assigns a research project about a local
landmark, Barret Eloise and her former friend, along with two boys, choose the scary old Rathfield Manor.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Sign up for Tech Policy Go deeper Life Time's country club bet is paying off
Life Time is about to hit the gas on expansion as the health club chain sees unprecedented member loyalty that appears unfazed by big price hikes.
—Ina Fried, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Adverb
The 25-year-old called 911 about 7:30 p.m. Monday and said he had been assaulted in a road rage incident.
—Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024
The two hunted all day with just one break for lunch when, finally, a doe came trotting by at about 5:30 p.m.
—Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 7 Nov. 2024
Preposition
Bishop said the organization has been connecting with school counselors in the area and tabling at events to get the word out about its mission.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, The Denver Post, 10 Nov. 2024
When the teacher assigns a research project about a local
landmark, Barret Eloise and her former friend, along with two boys, choose the scary old Rathfield Manor.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024
Adjective
In addition, the current solar cycle is about to hit its peak, which could result in more frequent and farther-reaching Northern Lights activity.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2024
Sign up for Tech Policy Go deeper Life Time's country club bet is paying off
Life Time is about to hit the gas on expansion as the health club chain sees unprecedented member loyalty that appears unfazed by big price hikes.
—Ina Fried, Axios, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about
Dictionary Entries Near about
Cite this Entry
“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
about
1 of 2 adverb1
: on all sides : around
wander about
people standing about
2
a
: reasonably close to : approximately, nearly
about three years
about ready to go
b
: on the verge of
is about to go home
3
: in the opposite direction
face about
about
2 of 2 preposition1
: on every side of : around
houses about the lake
2
a
b
: in the possession of
had no pencil about her
c
: in the control of
keeps her wits about her
3
: in the act or process of doing
do it well while you're about it
4
: having to do with : concerning
tell me about it
a book about birds
5
: over or in different parts of
traveled about the country
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