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Definition of around adverb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

around

adverb
 
 
/əˈraʊnd/
 
/əˈraʊnd/
For the special uses of around in phrasal verbs, look at the entries for the verbs. For example come around to something is in the phrasal verb section at come.Idioms
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  1.  
     approximately
    • He arrived around five o'clock.
    • The cost would be somewhere around £1 500.
    • There were only around 125 people present.
    • The correct figure is actually around double that amount.
  2.  
     on every side; surrounding somebody/something
    • I could hear laughter all around.
    • a yard with a fence all around
  3.  
     (especially North American English)
    (British English usually round)
    moving in a circle
    • How do you make the wheels go around?
    • The wheel was spinning around and around.
  4.  
     (especially North American English)
    (British English 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.
    • He took two steps before he turned back around.
    see also about, round
  5.  
     (especially North American English)
    (British English usually round)
    measured in a circle
    • an old tree that was at least ten feet around
  6.  
     in or to many places
    • We were all running around trying to get ready in time.
    • This is our new office—Sam will show you around.
    • There were papers lying around all over the floor.
  7.  
     used to describe activities that have no real purpose
    • There were several young people sitting around looking bored.
  8.  
     present in a place; available
    • She must be somewhere around here.
    • The game has been around forever (= for a long time).
    • I knocked but there was no one around.
    • There was more money around in those days.
  9. 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 early 2000s.
    10. Word OriginMiddle English: from a- ‘in, on’ + round.
Idioms
have been around
  1. to have gained knowledge and experience of the world
Which Word? around / round / aboutaround / round / about
  • Around and round can often be used with the same meaning in British English, though around is more formal:
    • The earth goes round/​around the sun.
    • They live round/​around the corner.
    • We travelled round/​around India.
    • She turned round/​around when I came in.
    In North American English only around can be used in these meanings.
  • Around, round and about can also sometimes be used with the same meaning in British English:
    • The kids were running around/​round/​about outside.
    • I’ve been waiting around/​round/​about to see her all day.
    In North American English only around can be used in these meanings. About or around can be used in both British English and North American English to mean ‘approximately’:
    • We left around/​about 8 o’clock.
See around in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee around in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: around

Nearby words

influence
verb
 
 
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