Meaning & Definition of word "About"
to
About
/əˈbaʊt/
noun:
- 1. A concern or topic of discussion.
- Example: The main about was the upcoming elections.
preposition:
- 1. On the subject of; concerning.
- Example: We had a discussion about the importance of education.
- 2. In the vicinity of; near.
- Example: The park is about three blocks away from my house.
- 3. Around; in a circular direction.
- Example: They walked about the city for hours.
adverb:
- 1. Approximately; nearly.
- Example: The project will take about a week to complete.
- 2. In a general way; essentially.
- Example: You have to know about the risks before you start.
Etymology
Middle English: from Old English 'abūtan', meaning 'on the outside' or 'in the vicinity of'.
Common Phrases and Expressions
in and about:
In various places or conditions.
about time:
An expression indicating that something should have happened earlier.
what's it about:
Asking for the subject or meaning of something.
up and about:
Recovered and active, especially after an illness.
Related Words
around:
Located on all sides of something; in the vicinity.
regarding:
In relation to; concerning.
Slang Meanings of about
Meaning: About to
Example Sentence: I'm about to hit the road.
Meaning: About that life
Example Sentence: He's all about that hustle.