1. (adverb)about(p), astir(p) on the move "up and about"; "the whole town was astir over the incident"
2. (adverb)approximately, about, close to, just about, some, roughly, more or less, around, or so (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"
3. (adverb)about, around 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"
4. (adverb)about, around in the area or vicinity "a few spectators standing about"; "hanging around"; "waited around for the next flight"
5. (adverb)about, around used of movement to or among many different places or in no particulardirection "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"
6. (adverb)about, around in or to a reversed position or direction "about face"; "suddenly she turned around"
8. (adverb)about, almost, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh (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"
Definitions of 'about'
Webster 1913 Dictionary
1. (adverb)about on all sides; around
2. (adverb)about in circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across
3. (adverb)about here and there; around; in one place and another
4. (adverb)about nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; -- also of quantity, number, time
5. (adverb)about to a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about
Definition of about 
