about

Adverb

Adverb

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A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

1. 1.On all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around.

   • I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
   • Why, then, I see, ’tis time to look about, / When every boy Alphonsus dares control.

2. 2.Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.

   • Bits of old machinery were lying about.
   • Feathers were strewn about, white feathers! With them were several splotches of dried blood splattered across the dirt. Matthew's heart sank. He knew whose feathers those were! Something terrible had happened here.

3. 3.From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.

   • He bustled about and about, speaking to every one, but declined listening for a single moment to any.
   • She was [..] moving furniture about, and marching into the apartment at the front even before the tenants had left.

4. 4.Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.

   • I prefer not to talk about it.
   • We'll have to go about it with care.
   • The best book about life is life itself.

Prep

Preposition

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A word placed before a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase to show its relationship to another part of the sentence.

1. 1.In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around.

   • The snake was coiled about his ankle.
   • So look about you; know you any here?
   • As soon as church was out a group of people gathered about her, all curious to hear how she was getting on with the boy.

2. 2.Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

   • Rubbish was strewn about the place.
   • The children were running about the room.
   • He was well known about town.

3. 3.Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something.

4. 4.Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of.

   • He talked a lot about his childhood.
   • He is very mad about all the pranks.
   • Well, let’s not talk about yesterday.

Overall

Very common· #45

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Very common

General reading & writing

Very common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Uncommon

Synonyms

• approximately
• roughly
• some