Meaning of “around” in the English Dictionary

English
Contents

"around" in English

See all translations

aroundpreposition, adverb

uk ​ /əˈraʊnd/ us ​ /əˈraʊnd/ UK also round

around preposition, adverb (IN THIS DIRECTION)

A2 in a position or direction surrounding, or in a direction going along the edge of or from one part to another (of):

We sat around the table.
He put his arm around her.
A crowd had gathered around the scene of the accident.
She had a scarf around her neck.
The moon goes around the earth.
I walked around the side of the building.
As the bus left, she turned around (= so that she was facing in the opposite direction) and waved goodbye to us.
He put the wheel on the right/wrong way around (= facing the right/wrong way).
The children were dancing around the room.
I spent a year travelling around Africa and Asia.
The museum's collection includes works of art from all around the world.
She passed a plate of biscuits around (= from one person to another).
This virus has been going around (= from one person to another).

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

around preposition, adverb (IN THIS PLACE)

A2 positioned or moving in or near a place, often without a clear direction, purpose, or order:

He always leaves his clothes lying around (on the floor).
She went into town and spent two hours just walking around.
Let's take the children to the park so they can run around for a while.
I used to live around (= near) here.
She's never around (= near here) when you need her.
Will you be around next week?
There's a lot of flu around (= a lot of people have it) at the moment.
Smartphones have been around (= existed) for quite a while.

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Around or round?Around and round are prepositions or adverbs. We use around and round when we refer to movements in circles or from one place to another. Around and round can both be used. Around is more common in American English. Round is a little more common in speaking: …

Idiom(s)

around and around

aroundadverb

uk ​ /əˈraʊnd/ us ​ /əˈraʊnd/

around adverb (APPROXIMATELY)

A2 approximately:

around six feet tall
around two months ago
around four o'clock
She earns around $40,000 a year.

More examples

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Approximations (around four o’clock)When we speak, we often try not to be too exact or factual because it can sound very direct. As a result, we add expressions to make what we say more approximate or vague. …
Around or round?Around and round are prepositions or adverbs. We use around and round when we refer to movements in circles or from one place to another. Around and round can both be used. Around is more common in American English. Round is a little more common in speaking: …

(Definition of “around” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"around" in American English

See all translations

aroundpreposition, adverb [ not gradable ]

us ​ /əˈrɑʊnd/

around preposition, adverb [ not gradable ] (IN THIS DIRECTION)

› in a position or direction surrounding, along the outside of, or from one part of to another:

We sat around the table.
Go around to the back of the house and come in through the kitchen.
We drove around town for a while, looking for a place to park.
She turned around (= so that she was facing in the opposite direction) and waved goodbye.
fig. He built his story around the theme of spiritual loneliness.

around preposition, adverb [ not gradable ] (TO ALL PARTS)

› in or to many parts of or all directions:

Car phones are common all around the country.
People came from miles around.

Idiom(s)

around and around
around the clock
(right/just) around the corner

aroundadjective, adverb

us ​ /əˈrɑʊnd/

around adjective, adverb (HERE/NEAR)

› positioned or moving in or near a place:

I used to live around here.
Will you guys be around next week?

aroundadverb

us ​ /əˈrɑʊnd/

around adverb (APPROXIMATELY)

› about; approximately:

Around 40 people showed up.
He arrived in Kansas City around 1984.

(Definition of “around” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

Translations of “around”
 
Need a translator?

Translator tool

Get a quick, free translation!

What is the pronunciation of around?
Browse