1
a
: reasonably close to
about a year ago
b
: almost
about starved
just about finished
c
: on the verge of
—usually used with be and a following infinitive
is about to join the army
—used with a negative to express intention or determinationnot about to quit
2
: on all sides : around
looked about for a place to park
3
a
: in rotation
They go about in circles.
b
: around the outside
4
: in many different directions : here and there
walked about for hours
5
: in the vicinity : near
He spoke to the people standing about.
6
: in the opposite direction
face about
the other way about
1
: in a circle around : on every side of : around
People gathered about him.
2
a
: in the immediate neighborhood of : near
Fish are abundant about the reefs.
b
: on or near the person of
had a pleasing fragrance about her
c
: in the makeup of
a mature wisdom about him
d
: at the command of
has his wits about him
3
: engaged in
… act as if they know what they're about …—
T. S. Matthews
T. S. Matthews4
a
: with regard to : concerning
spoke about his past
b
: concerned with
c
: fundamentally concerned with or directed toward
… poker is about money.—David Mamet
David Mamet5
: over or in different parts of
He traveled about the country.
1
: moving from place to place
specifically
: being out of bed
is up and about by 7 a.m.
2
: around sense 2
There is a scarcity of jobs about.
Synonyms
Examples of about in a Sentence
Adverb
We're about ready to go.
This one is about as bad as that one.
That's about all I know at this point.
It's about time to go.
That's about all the time we have.
We tried just about everything we could think of.
Preposition
a poignant story about a young man who goes off to war
about the hedge there was a picket fence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
With total outlays of about $1 billion, Soon-Shiong has made one of the largest investments in local journalism in America.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
William Mullane, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
The suit centered on Stephanopoulos' interview with Mace, a Republican who has publicly spoken about being raped at the age of 16.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Greg Petro, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
In New Orleans, the Lafitte Greenway is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
—Micheline Maynard, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
Lindholm told the court about finding a satchel containing about $500 in cash (roughly $18,000 today), a wallet, and a bank book belonging to the Frehrs.
—Mara Bovsun, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
With total outlays of about $1 billion, Soon-Shiong has made one of the largest investments in local journalism in America.
—James Rainey, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
Preposition
The key to this effort is educating regulatory bodies and the medical community about the unique aspects of immunocine therapy.
—William Mullane, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
The suit centered on Stephanopoulos' interview with Mace, a Republican who has publicly spoken about being raped at the age of 16.
—Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
As things look, that’s a very expensive lesson the Auto industry may be about to learn.
—Greg Petro, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
In New Orleans, the Lafitte Greenway is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
—Micheline Maynard, TIME, 17 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for about
Dictionary Entries Near about
Cite this Entry
“About.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/about. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
about
1 of 2 adverb1
: on all sides : around
wander about
people standing about
2
a
: reasonably close to : approximately, nearly
about three years
about ready to go
b
: on the verge of
is about to go home
3
: in the opposite direction
face about
about
2 of 2 preposition1
: on every side of : around
houses about the lake
2
a
b
: in the possession of
had no pencil about her
c
: in the control of
keeps her wits about her
3
: in the act or process of doing
do it well while you're about it
4
: having to do with : concerning
tell me about it
a book about birds
5
: over or in different parts of
traveled about the country
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