about

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: bout, abut, abort, aboud, abou, abot, amout

Antonyms: bout, abut, abort, aboud, abou, abot, amout

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Preposition

1. In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around. {{defdate|from before 1150}}<ref name=SOED/>
2. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. {{defdate|from ca. 1150–1350}}<ref name=SOED/>
3. {{n-g|Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something.}}
4. [[concerning|Concerning]]; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of. {{defdate|from ca. 1150–1350}}<ref name=SOED/>
5. [[concern|Concerned]] or occupied with; engaged in; [[intent]] on. {{defdate|from ca. 1150–1350}}<ref name=SOED/>
6. Within or in the [[immediate]] [[neighborhood]] of; in [[contiguity]] or [[proximity]] to; near, as to place. {{defdate|from ca. 1350–1470}}<ref name=SOED/>
7. On one’s person; nearby the person. {{defdate|from ca. 1350–1470}}<ref name=SOED/>
8. {{lb|en|figurative}} On or near (one's person); attached as an attribute to; in the makeup of, or at the command of. {{defdate|from ca. 1350–1470}}<ref name=SOED/>

Adverb

1. On all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around. {{defdate|from before 1150<ref name=SOED/>}}
2. [[here and there|Here and there]]; around; in one place and another; up and down. {{defdate|from before 1150<ref name=SOED/>}}
3. From one place or position to another in succession; {{n-g|indicating repeated movement or activity}}.
4. {{n-g|Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.}}
5. Nearly; [[approximately]]; with close [[correspondence]] in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; [[almost]]. {{defdate|from before 1150<ref name=SOED/>}}
6. [[near|Near]]; in the [[vicinity]]. {{defdate|from ca. 1350–1470<ref name=SOED/>}}
7. To a reversed order, direction, or condition; half round; in (or to, or from) the opposite direction. {{defdate|from ca. 1350–1470<ref name=SOED/>}}
8. {{lb|en|obsolete|or|rare}} In [[succession]], one after another. {{defdate|from before 1150<ref name=SOED/>}}
9. {{lb|en|obsolete|or|rare}} In rotation or revolution. {{defdate|from before 1150<ref name=SOED/>}}
10. {{lb|en|possibly|obsolete|outside set phrases}} In the course of events.
11. {{lb|en|archaic}} In circuit or [[circumference]]; [[circularly]]. {{defdate|from ca. 1350–1470<ref name=SOED/>}}
12. {{lb|en|archaic}} By a [[circuitous]] way; [[circuitously]].<!-- Compare "From one place or position to another in succession" above. -->

Adjective

1. Moving around or in motion; [[astir]].
2. In existence; being in evidence; [[apparent]].
3. Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.

Verb

1. {{lb|en|nautical|uncommon}} To change the course of (a ship) to the other tack; to bring (a ship) [[#Adverb|about]].
2. {{lb|en|uncommon|possibly|jocular}} To [[about-face]] (turn 180 degrees, like a soldier).

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.