prep 1. referring to something ○ He told me all about his operation. ○ What do you want to speak to the doctor about? 2. □ to be about to do something to be going to do something very soon ○ We were about to go home when you arrived. 3. approximately ○ I’ve been waiting for about four hours. ○ She’s only about fifteen years old. □ how about, what about what do you think about (informal.) ○ We can’t find a new chairperson for the club – what about Sarah? □ how about a cup of tea? would you like a cup of tea? □ while you’re about it at the same time as the thing you are doing ○ While you’re about it, can you post this letter? ■ adv in various places ○ There were papers lying about on the floor. ○ There is a lot of flu about during the winter months.
a•bout´
prep. [OE. aboute, abouten, abuten; AS. abutan, onbutan; on + butan, which is from be by + utan outward, from ut out. See But, Out.]
1. Around; all round; on every side of. ´Look about you.´ Shak. ´Bind them about thy neck.´ Prov. iii. 3.
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one’s person). ´Have you much money about you?´ Bulwer.
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. “Lampoons … were handed about the coffeehouses.
Macaulay.” “Roving still about the world.
Milton.”
4. Near; not far from; — determining approximately time, size, quantity. ´To-morrow, about this time.´ Exod. ix. 18. ´About my stature.´ Shak. “He went out about the third hour.
Matt. xx. 3.” This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on. “I must be about my Father’s business.
Luke ii. 49.”
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. “Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
Acts xviii. 14.”
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. ´To treat about thy ransom.´ Milton. “She must have her way about Sarah.
Trollope.”
1. Around; all round; on every side of. ´Look about you.´ Shak. ´Bind them about thy neck.´ Prov. iii. 3.
2. In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one’s person). ´Have you much money about you?´ Bulwer.
3. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout. “Lampoons … were handed about the coffeehouses.
Macaulay.” “Roving still about the world.
Milton.”
4. Near; not far from; — determining approximately time, size, quantity. ´To-morrow, about this time.´ Exod. ix. 18. ´About my stature.´ Shak. “He went out about the third hour.
Matt. xx. 3.” This use passes into the adverbial sense.
5. In concern with; engaged in; intent on. “I must be about my Father’s business.
Luke ii. 49.”
6. Before a verbal noun or an infinitive: On the point or verge of; going; in act of. “Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
Acts xviii. 14.”
7. Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching. ´To treat about thy ransom.´ Milton. “She must have her way about Sarah.
Trollope.”
a•bout´
adv.
1. On all sides; around. “’Tis time to look about.
Shak.”
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. “Wandering about from house to house.
1 Tim. v. 13.”
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as about as cold; about as high; — also of quantity, number, time. ´There fell … about three thousand men.´ Exod. xxii. 28.
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as to face about; to turn one’s self about. To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. — To come about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. — To go about, To set about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. ´Shall we set about some revels?´ Shak. — Round about, in every direction around.
1. On all sides; around. “’Tis time to look about.
Shak.”
2. In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
3. Here and there; around; in one place and another. “Wandering about from house to house.
1 Tim. v. 13.”
4. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as about as cold; about as high; — also of quantity, number, time. ´There fell … about three thousand men.´ Exod. xxii. 28.
5. To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as to face about; to turn one’s self about. To bring about, to cause to take place; to accomplish. — To come about, to occur; to take place. See under Come. — To go about, To set about, to undertake; to arrange; to prepare. ´Shall we set about some revels?´ Shak. — Round about, in every direction around.
Simba learns important lessons about life and leadership.
The scentence about “The Lion King”.
Meaning of “about” in English language – prep 1. referring to something ○ He told...
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