1
a
: in a circle or in circumference
The wheel goes around.
a tree five feet around
b
: in, along, or through a circuit
The road goes around by the lake.
2
a
: on all or various sides : in every or any direction
papers lying around
There was nothing for miles around.
b
: in close from all sides so as to surround
People crowded around.
c
: in or near one's present place or situation
We had to wait around awhile.
3
a
: here and there : from one place to another
She travels around on business.
b
: to a particular place
You should come around for dinner.
c
—used with some verbs to indicate repeated or continued action
He's always joking around when he should be serious.
Don't play around with your food.
4
a
: in rotation or succession
Another winter has come around.
b
: from beginning to end : through
The weather is mild the year around.
c
: in order
the other way around
5
: in or to an opposite direction or position
turn around
6
: with some approach to exactness : approximately
It costs around $5.
1
a
: on all sides of
a yard with a fence around it
b
: so as to encircle or enclose
seated around the table
c
: so as to avoid or get past : on or to another side of
trying to find a way around their objections
We went around the lake.
around the corner
d
: near
lives around Chicago
around the turn of the century
2
: in all directions outward from
Look around you.
3
: here and there in or throughout
They went barnstorming around the country.
4
: so as to have a center or basis in
a society organized around kinship ties
1
: about sense 1
He has been up and around for two days.
2
: being in existence, evidence, or circulation
… the most intelligent of the artists around today.—
R. M. Coates
R. M. CoatesSynonyms
Examples of around in a Sentence
Adverb
Don't take the long way around: I know a shortcut.
He entered the room and looked around.
This is a very interesting town: let me show you around.
I'm not sure where it is, but it must be around somewhere.
It's safer when there are other people around.
I'd like to speak to him if he's around.
Preposition
The people were seated around the table.
A crowd gathered around him.
He tied the rope around his waist.
We went all around the lake enjoying the different views.
They sailed around the world.
He's a well-known figure around the town.
We drove all around the town looking for him.
This is a very interesting town: let me show you around it.
We took a tour around New England.
You can find lots of good restaurants around here.
Adjective
she's generally regarded as one of the most talented singers around
Recent Examples on the WebErik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024
As the camera pans around, an entire floor of the hotel hangs at an angle having collapsed into the level below.
—Joaquin Caballero, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
Dragonfly students join the frontlines of community innovation, working across an extraordinary network of leading U.S. zoos, botanical gardens and community organizations around the world.
—April Wallace, arkansasonline.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024
Start by making small abrasions in the areas where holes or fraying would naturally occur: At the knees, yes, but also the around hems, pocket edges, and button holes.
—Jane Herman, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for around 
Adverb
Sobieski said the lines are longest the first thing in the morning, at lunch time and around 3 p.m.
—Erik S. Hanley, Journal Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2024
As the camera pans around, an entire floor of the hotel hangs at an angle having collapsed into the level below.
—Joaquin Caballero, CNN, 29 Oct. 2024
Preposition
Sealing exterior gaps and cracks around windows, doors, and other entry points before the beetles appear can prevent unwanted entry, according to Iowa State University.
—Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press, 31 Oct. 2024
Dragonfly students join the frontlines of community innovation, working across an extraordinary network of leading U.S. zoos, botanical gardens and community organizations around the world.
—April Wallace, arkansasonline.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
For vehicles lacking that capability, as well as those impacted by the around view mirror system, dealers will update vehicle software for the affected systems free of charge.
—Max Hauptman, USA TODAY, 11 Oct. 2024
Start by making small abrasions in the areas where holes or fraying would naturally occur: At the knees, yes, but also the around hems, pocket edges, and button holes.
—Jane Herman, Vogue, 7 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for around
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'around.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near around
Cite this Entry
“Around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/around. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
around
1 of 2 adverb1
: in circumference
a tree five feet around
2
: in or along a curving path
3
: on all sides
papers lying around
4
: nearby
stick around a while
5
: here and there in various places
travel around
6
: to each in turn
pass the fruit around
7
: from beginning to end
mild the year around
8
: in or to an opposite direction or position
turn around
9
: close to : approximately
costs around $20
around
2 of 2 preposition1
a
: on all sides of
were fields around the village
b
: so as to encircle or enclose
people seated around the table
c
: on or to another side of
voyage around Cape Horn
d
: near to
lives around Chicago
2
: here and there in or throughout
travel around the country
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