around
around definition
around (ə ro̵und′)
adverb
- round; esp.,
- in a circle; along a circular course or circumference
- in or through a course or circuit, as from one place to another
- on all sides; in every direction
- in circumference
- in or to the opposite direction, belief, etc.
- in various places; here and there
- in succession or sequence his turn came around
- in every part of; throughout the year around
- Informal within a close periphery; nearby stay around
- ☆ Informal to a (specified or understood) place come around to see us
- Informal nearly; approximately; about around five pounds
Etymology: ME < a-, on + round: all senses derive from those of “circling, within a circle”
- on the circumference, border, or outer part of
- so as to encircle
- so as to surround or envelop
- from the beginning to the end of (a period of time); throughout
- so as to rotate or revolve about (an axis or center)
- on all sides of; in every direction from
- in various places in or on; here and there in; all about
- to or through every part or various parts of; in a circuit or course through
- so as to make a curve or partial circuit about
- at a point reached by making such a circuit about the house around the corner
- so as to master or overcome (an obstacle or problem) we got around the boss by finding a substitute
- in the vicinity of; near to somewhere around the building
- ☆ somewhat close to; about it happened around 1965
- so as to be based on a speech written around a favorite concept
adjective
- on the move; about he's up and around now
- existing; living when dinosaurs were around
around Idioms
have been around
☆Informal to have had wide experience; be sophisticated
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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