about

About 963.50 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. preposition In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}

   The snake was coiled about his ankle.

2. preposition Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

   Rubbish was strewn about the place.

3. preposition Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something. See about to. On the point or verge of.
4. preposition See about to.
5. preposition On the point or verge of.
6. preposition Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of.

   He talked a lot about his childhood.

7. preposition Concerned or occupied with; engaged in; intent on.

   just going about their business

8. preposition Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.

   I can’t find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.

Similar words

near nigh well-nigh almost virtually nearly just about all but close to more or less

Often followed by

the it a to this his what their her