Definitions for aboutəˈbaʊt

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

a•boutəˈbaʊt(prep.)

concerning; on the subject of; in regard to:
a book about the Civil War.
connected or associated with:
an air of mystery about him.
near; close to:
about my height; about six o'clock.
in or somewhere near:
He is about the house.
on every side of; around.
on or near (one's person):
They lost all they had about them.
so as to be of use to:
Keep your wits about you.
on the verge of (usu. fol. by an infinitive):
about to leave.
here or there in or on:
to wander about the castle.
engaged in or occupied with:
while you're about it.
having as a central concern or purpose:
That's not what life is all about.
(adv.)near in time, number, degree, etc.; approximately:
about five miles from here.
nearly; almost:
Dinner is about ready.
nearby; not far off:
He is somewhere about.
on every side; in every direction; around:
to look about.
halfway around; in the opposite direction:
to turn a car about.
here and there; in or to various places:
to move furniture about; papers strewn about.
in rotation or succession; alternately:
Turn about is fair play.
in circumference.
Naut. onto a new tack. onto a new course.
Category: Nautical, Navy
(adj.)moving around; astir:
She was up and about at dawn.
in existence; current; prevalent:
The flu is about.

Idioms for about:

not about to, not intending or likely to.
Category: Idiom

Origin of about:

bef. 900; ME aboute(n), OE abūtan, onbūtan on the outside of =a-a -1+būtan outside (see but1)

Princeton's WordNet

about(p), astir(p)(adverb)
on the move
"up and about"; "the whole town was astir over the incident"
approximately, about, close to, just about, some, roughly, more or less, around, or so(adverb)
(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"
about, around(adverb)
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"
about, around(adverb)
in the area or vicinity
"a few spectators standing about"; "hanging around"; "waited around for the next flight"
about, around(adverb)
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"
about, around(adverb)
in or to a reversed position or direction
"about face"; "suddenly she turned around"
about(adverb)
in rotation or succession
"turn about is fair play"
about, almost, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh(adverb)
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
"the job is (just) about done"; "the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded"; "we're almost finished"; "the car all but ran her down"; "he nearly fainted"; "talked for nigh onto 2 hours"; "the recording is well-nigh perfect"; "virtually all the parties signed the contract"; "I was near exhausted by the run"; "most everyone agrees"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

about(adverb)əˈbaʊt
approximately
about 40 guests; I'm leaving about 4 o'clock.
aboutəˈbaʊt
very close to; = practically
He's about her only friend.
aboutəˈbaʊt
around
Stop moving about.
aboutəˈbaʊt
indicates a suggestion
How about a drink?
about(preposition)əˈbaʊt
on the subject of
a story about her childhood; We were talking about old friends.
aboutəˈbaʊt
indicates you are suggesting sth
How about a drink?
aboutəˈbaʊt
indicates that you want information
I know Karen's coming - what about Noah?
about(adjective)əˈbaʊt
ready to, or soon going to do sth
I was about to call her.; We're just about to leave.
aboutəˈbaʊt
emphasizes that you will not do sth
I'm not about to apologize!

Webster Dictionary

About(u)
around; all round; on every side of
About(u)
in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person)
About(u)
over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout
About(u)
near; not far from; -- determining approximately time, size, quantity
About(u)
in concern with; engaged in; intent on
About(u)
on the point or verge of; going; in act of
About(u)
concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching
About(adverb)
on all sides; around
About(adverb)
in circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across
About(adverb)
here and there; around; in one place and another
About(adverb)
nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time
About(adverb)
to a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about