Definition Synonyms
Definition of about - Reverso English Dictionary
Preposition
1.
topicson the subject of something
- We talked about the new project.
2.
approximateapproximately or nearly
- There were about 20 people at the meeting.
3.
locationUK throughout or in various parts of a placeUK
- She wandered about the city all day.
4.
proximitynear or close to a place or time
- He lives somewhere about the town square.
5.
positionin a circle around something or someone
- The children ran about the tree.
Adverb
1.
almostnearly or approximately
- The movie starts in about ten minutes.
2.
closein the vicinity or nearby
- Is there a bank about here?
3.
surroundingon all sides or around something
- The children ran about the playground.
4.
wanderingindicating unstructured or aimless activity
- She spent the afternoon just pottering about.
5.
oppositein a reversed direction or order
- He turned about and left the room.
Adjective
1.
proximitynear or in the vicinity
- There are several parks about the neighborhood.
2.
timegoing to happen very soon
- The show is about to start in five minutes.
3.
availabilitypresent or available
- There are always helpful staff about to assist you.
Expressions with about
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referring to the concept of time
We talked about time and its mysteries.
feel concern or interest in something
She really cares about the environment and recycles everything.
fail to remember something or someone
I often forget about my old classmates.
happen or occur unexpectedly
The solution to the problem came about suddenly.
stay calm and not get upset about something
She was cool about losing the game.
very enthusiastic or passionate about something
She is crazy about playing the guitar.
used to say something is not important
If you can't come, forget about it, we'll manage.
worry or behave in an anxious way
She tends to fuss about every little detail.
become the subject of conversation by others
The new movie will get talked about for weeks.
begin to deal with a problem
He went about fixing the issue immediately.
indicating the main focus or purpose
For her, it's all about the music.
almost finished or close to a certain amount
The work is just about done.
remain in a place without a clear purpose or goal
They keep hanging about the park all afternoon.
very enthusiastic or in love with someone or something
She is mad about chocolate.
move around without a specific destination
She likes to move about the city on weekends.
expresses absolute certainty about something
There's no doubt about it, she's the best.
expresses certainty or agreement without any doubt
She is the best player, no question about it.
engage in playful or aimless activity
The children love to play about in the garden.
move around on the ground playfully
The puppies roll about in the grass.
make inquiries or arrangements for something
I need to see about booking a hotel for our trip..
walk around making loud noises with your feet
He began to stamp about the room in frustration.
nothing more to add or say
I've explained everything, and that is about it.
indicates nothing more to add or say
I've packed my bags, and that's about it.
reconsider a decision or action
You should think twice about quitting your job without another offer.
Origin of about
Old English, onbutan (on the outside)
Terms with about included in their meaning
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questions
inquire about the manner or way something is done
question
ask about the degree or extent of something
planning
intention or decision about what one is going to do
question
asking for information about something
interrogative
used to ask about a thing or event
relationship
inquiring about marital status
mood
experience pleasure, show contentment, or feel okay about circumstances
emotion
feel regret or guilt about something done
question
forms questions about actions or states with he, she, it
greeting
ask about someone's well-being or feelings
greeting well-being
ask about someone's well-being or current state
duration query
asks about the length of time something takes
value inquiry
inquiring about the value or cost
frequency
asking about the regularity of something
age inquiry
asking about someone's age
question height
ask about a person's height in units like feet or centimeters
weather inquiry
asking about current weather conditions
basic question
used to ask whether something is true about a thing
reassurance
used to comfort someone about a future meeting
short delay
stay in place for about one minute
inquiry
ask about current actions or activities
question
asking someone about their desires
question
asking for information about something
literal
inquire about the contents of a bag
Examples of about in a sentence
We had a discussion about climate change. The project will take about two weeks. She spent about an hour on the task. Children were playing about the park. He looked about the room for his keys. The meeting is scheduled for about noon.
The store is located about two miles from here. They placed candles about the room. The dancers moved gracefully about the stage. Dinner will be ready in about five minutes. The train arrives in about an hour. There are rumors about of a new store opening. Is there a pharmacy about? Wildflowers grew about the old stone wall. Lanterns were hung about the courtyard. The children were wandering about after lunch. He looked about for something to do. At the door, she spun about suddenly. The canoe swung about in the current. There are rumors about a new cafe opening soon. The children were playing about the garden all afternoon. Dinner is about to be served, so please take your seats. The train is about to leave the station, hurry up! There are always friends about when you need them. Is there a doctor about in the building?
View all translations of about
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:sur, presque, ...
- German:über, ungefähr, ...
- Italian:di, quasi, ...
- Spanish:sobre, casi, ...
- Portuguese:sobre, aproximadamente, ...
- Chinese:关于, 差不多, ...
- Japanese:について, おおよそ, ...
- Arabic:عَنْ, تَقريباً, ...
- Hebrew:עַל, בְּעֶרֶךְ כָּךְ, ...
- Russian:о, примерно, ...
- Ukrainian:про, приблизно, ...
- Hindi:के बारे में, क़रीब-क़रीब, ...
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