/ əˈraʊnd; NAmE / adverb , preposition
■ adverb
HELP NOTE : For the special uses of around in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example come around to sth is in the phrasal verb section at come .
1.
approximately :
He arrived around five o'clock.
The cost would be somewhere around £1 500.
2.
on every side; surrounding sb/sth :
I could hear laughter all around.
a yard with a fence all around
3.
( especially NAmE ) ( BrE usually round ) moving in a circle :
How do you make the wheels go around?
4.
( especially NAmE ) ( BrE usually round ) measured in a circle :
an old tree that was at least ten feet around
5.
in or to many places :
We were all running around trying to get ready in time.
This is our new office—Kay will show you around.
There were papers lying around all over the floor.
6.
used to describe activities that have no real purpose :
There were several young people sitting around looking bored.
7.
present in a place; available :
There was more money around in those days.
I knocked but there was no one around.
Digital television has been around for some time now.
8.
active and well known in a sport, profession, etc. :
a new tennis champion who could be around for a long time
She's been around as a film director since the 1980s.
9.
( especially NAmE ) ( BrE usually round ) in a circle or curve to face another way or the opposite way :
She turned the car around and drove off.
They looked around when he called.
—see also about , round
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IDIOMS
- have been around
■ preposition ( especially NAmE ) ( BrE usually round )
1.
surrounding sb/sth; on each side of sth :
The house is built around a central courtyard.
He put his arms around her.
2.
on, to or from the other side of sb/sth :
Our house is just around the corner.
The bus came around the bend.
There must be a way around the problem.
3.
in a circle :
They walked around the lake.
4.
to fit in with particular people, ideas, etc. :
I can't arrange everything around your timetable!
5.
in or to many places in an area :
They walked around the town looking for a place to eat.
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WHICH WORD
around / round / about
Around and round can often be used with the same meaning in BrE , though around is more formal:
The earth goes round / around the sun.
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They live round / around the corner.
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We travelled round / around India.
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She turned round / around when I came in.
In NAmE only around can be used in these meanings.
Around, round and about can also sometimes be used with the same meaning in BrE :
The kids were running around / round / about outside.
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I've been waiting around / round / about to see her all day.
In NAmE only around can be used in these meanings. About or around can be used in both BrE and NAmE to mean 'approximately':
We left around / about 8 o'clock.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from a- in, on + round .