about about /əˈbaʊt/

adjective

1. On the move  ( about , astir )
   on the move
    Up and about
   up and about
    The whole town was astir over the incident
   the whole town was astir over the incident
   

adverb

1. () (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct  ( around , just about , some , about , approximately , close to , more or less , or so , roughly )
   (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
    Lasted approximately an hour
   lasted approximately an hour
    In just about a minute
   in just about a minute
    He's about 30 years old
   he's about 30 years old
    I've had about all I can stand
   I've had about all I can stand
    We meet about once a month
   we meet about once a month
    Some forty people came
   some forty people came
    Weighs around a hundred pounds
   weighs around a hundred pounds
    Roughly $3,000
   roughly $3,000
    Holds 3 gallons, more or less
   holds 3 gallons, more or less
    20 or so people were at the party
   20 or so people were at the party
   
2. () All around or on all sides  ( around , about )
   all around or on all sides
    Dirty clothes lying around (or about)
   dirty clothes lying around (or about)
    Let's look about for help
   let's look about for help
    There were trees growing all around
   There were trees growing all around
    She looked around her
   she looked around her
   
3. () In the area or vicinity  ( about , around )
   in the area or vicinity
    A few spectators standing about
   a few spectators standing about
    Hanging around
   hanging around
    Waited around for the next flight
   waited around for the next flight
   
4. () In or to a reversed position or direction  ( around , about )
   in or to a reversed position or direction
    About face
   about face
    Suddenly she turned around
   suddenly she turned around
   
5. () Used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction  ( about , around )
   used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction
    Wandering about with no place to go
   wandering about with no place to go
    People were rushing about
   people were rushing about
    News gets around (or about)
   news gets around (or about)
    Traveled around in Asia
   traveled around in Asia
    He needs advice from someone who's been around
   he needs advice from someone who's been around
    She sleeps around
   she sleeps around
   
6. () In rotation or succession  ( about )
   in rotation or succession
    Turn about is fair play
   turn about is fair play
   
7. () (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but  ( nigh , all but , about , almost , most , near , nearly , virtually , well-nigh )
   (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
    The job is (just) about done
   the job is (just) about done
    The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
   the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
    We're almost finished
   we're almost finished
    The car all but ran her down
   the car all but ran her down
    He nearly fainted
   he nearly fainted
    Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
   talked for nigh onto 2 hours
    The recording is well-nigh perfect
   the recording is well-nigh perfect
    Virtually all the parties signed the contract
   virtually all the parties signed the contract
    I was near exhausted by the run
   I was near exhausted by the run
    Most everyone agrees
   most everyone agrees
   

preposition

1. () Concerning or relating to a particular topic.  ( on , about )
   Concerning or relating to a particular topic.
   
2. () Concerning or related to a particular subject or matter.  ( apropos , re , as for , about , as regards , as to , in connection with , respecting , with regard to , concerning , regarding )
   Concerning or related to a particular subject or matter.