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: approximatelyaboutclose tojust aboutsomeroughlymore or lessor so

2. in circumference

e.g. the trunk is ten feet around
the pond is two miles around

3. in the area or vicinity

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

Synonym: about

4. from beginning to end
throughout

e.g. It rains all year round on Skye
frigid weather the year around

Synonym: round

5. by a circular or circuitous route

e.g. He came all the way around the base
the road goes around the pond

6. in a circle or circular motion

e.g. The wheels are spinning around

7. 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: about

8. to a particular destination either specified or understood

e.g. she came around to see me
I invited them around for supper

9. in or to a reversed position or direction

e.g. about face
suddenly she turned around

Synonym: about

10. 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: about