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 WebNushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 4 Oct. 2024
In March, according to Louisville Metro Police, a man was shot and killed inside the bar at about 3:30 a.m. on March 3.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 2024
James Broughel, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
Ramsay’s legacy will be about care, effort, attention to detail, and craft.
—Alex French, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2024
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2024
Die-hard Friends fans are about to have their knowledge tested — with no apartment wager necessary.
—Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about 
Adverb
There are about 3,000 applicants on a waitlist for the Detroit Housing Commission.
—Nushrat Rahman, Detroit Free Press, 4 Oct. 2024
In March, according to Louisville Metro Police, a man was shot and killed inside the bar at about 3:30 a.m. on March 3.
—Lucas Aulbach, The Courier-Journal, 4 Oct. 2024
Preposition
However this plays out, the situation illustrates how deeply concerned workers are about losing their livelihoods.
—James Broughel, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024
Ramsay’s legacy will be about care, effort, attention to detail, and craft.
—Alex French, Robb Report, 5 Oct. 2024
Adjective
According to a video posted to Shanghai Daily’s digital news site SHINE, Shore kiboshed the lecture just as someone was about to ask a question.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 24 Sep. 2024
Die-hard Friends fans are about to have their knowledge tested — with no apartment wager necessary.
—Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 23 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'about.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near about
Cite this Entry
“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about. Accessed 8 Oct. 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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