ABOUT


Meaning of ABOUT in English

prep. & adv.

--prep.

1. a on the subject of; in connection with (a book about birds; what are you talking about?; argued about money). b relating to (something funny about this). c in relation to (symmetry about a plane). d so as to affect (can do nothing about it; what are you going to do about it?).

2 at a time near to (come about four).

3 a in, round, surrounding (wandered about the town; a scarf about her neck). b all round from a centre (look about you).

4 here and there in; at points throughout (toys lying about the house).

5 at a point or points near to (fighting going on about us).

6 carried with (have no money about me).

7 occupied with (what are you about?).

--adv.

1. a approximately (costs about a pound; is about right). b colloq. used to indicate understatement (just about had enough; it's about time they came).

2 here and there; at points nearby (a lot of flu about; I've seen him about recently).

3 all round; in every direction (look about).

4 on the move; in action (out and about).

5 in partial rotation or alteration from a given position (the wrong way about).

6 in rotation or succession (turn and turn about).

7 Naut. on or to the opposite tack (go about; put about).

Phrases and idioms:

be about to be on the point of (doing something) (was about to laugh).

Etymology: OE onbutan (on A(2), butan BUT(1))

Oxford English vocab.      Оксфордский английский словарь.