adv

1. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct

e.g. 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

Synonym: approximatelyclose tojust aboutsomeroughlymore or lessaroundor so

2. in the area or vicinity

e.g. a few spectators standing about
hanging around
waited around for the next flight

Synonym: around

3. all around or on all sides

e.g. dirty clothes lying around (or about)
let's look about for help
There were trees growing all around
she looked around her

Synonym: around

4. in or to a reversed position or direction

e.g. about face
suddenly she turned around

Synonym: around

5. used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction

e.g. 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

Synonym: around

6. (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished
all but

e.g. the job is (just) about done
the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
we're almost finished
the car all but ran her down
he nearly fainted
talked for nigh onto 2 hours
the recording is well-nigh perfect
virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
most everyone agrees

Synonym: almostmostnearlynearnighvirtuallywell-nigh

7. in rotation or succession

e.g. turn about is fair play