around
AdverbWordNet 3.0
Adverb (10)
- in the area or vicinity“a few spectators standing about”“hanging around”“waited around for the next flight”Synonyms: about
- by a circular or circuitous route“He came all the way around the base”“the road goes around the pond”
- used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction“wandering about with no place to go”“people were rushing about”“news gets around (or about)”“traveled around in Asia”“he needs advice from someone who's been around”“she sleeps around”Synonyms: about
- in a circle or circular motion“The wheels are spinning around”
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct“lasted approximately an hour”“in just about a minute”“he's about 30 years old”“I've had about all I can stand”“we meet about once a month”“some forty people came”“weighs around a hundred pounds”“roughly $3,000”“holds 3 gallons, more or less”“20 or so people were at the party”Synonyms: approximatelyaboutclose tojust aboutsomeroughlymore or lessor so
- in or to a reversed position or direction“about face”“suddenly she turned around”Synonyms: about
- to a particular destination either specified or understood“she came around to see me”“I invited them around for supper”
- all around or on all sides“dirty clothes lying around (or about)”“let's look about for help”“There were trees growing all around”“she looked around her”Synonyms: about
- in circumference“the trunk is ten feet around”“the pond is two miles around”
- from beginning to end; throughout“It rains all year round on Skye”“frigid weather the year around”Synonyms: round
Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)
Around \A*round"\, prep.
1.On all sides of; encircling; encompassing; so as to make the circuit of; about. [1913 Webster]
A lambent flame arose, which gently spread Around his brows.— Dryden.[1913 Webster]
2.From one part to another of; at random through; about; on another side of; as, to travel around the country; a house standing around the corner. [Colloq. U. S.] [1913 Webster]
Around \A*round"\, adv. [Pref. a- + round.]
1.In a circle; circularly; on every side; round. [1913 Webster]
2.In a circuit; here and there within the surrounding space; all about; as, to travel around from town to town. [1913 Webster]
3.Near; in the neighborhood; as, this man was standing around when the fight took place. [Colloq. U. S.] [1913 Webster]
Note: See Round, the shorter form, adv. & prep., which, in some of the meanings, is more commonly used. [1913 Webster]