adv. & prep.
--adv.
1. on every side; all round; round about.
2 in various places; here and there; at random (fool around; shop around).
3 colloq. a in existence; available (has been around for weeks). b near at hand (it's good to have you around).
--prep.
1. on or along the circuit of.
2 on every side of; enveloping.
3 here and there in or near (chairs around the room).
4 US (and increasingly Brit.) a round (the church around the corner). b approximately at; at a time near to (come around four o'clock; happened around June).
Phrases and idioms:
have been around colloq. be widely experienced.
Etymology: A(2) + ROUND