Dictionary

1about

adverb \ə-ˈbat\

: almost or nearly

—used to indicate that a number, amount, time, etc., is not exact or certain

: very close to doing something

Full Definition of ABOUT

1
a :  reasonably close to <about a year ago>
b :  almost <about starved>
c :  on the verge of —usually used with be and a following infinitive <is about to join the army> —used with a negative to express intention or determination <not about to quit>
2
:  on all sides :  around
3
a :  in rotation
b :  around the outside
5
:  in the vicinity :  near
6
:  in the opposite direction <face about> <the other way about>
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Origin of ABOUT

Middle English, from Old English abūtan, from 1a- + būtan outside — more at but
First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to ABOUT

Rhymes with ABOUT

ablaut, act out, all-out, back out, bailout, bail out, bat out, bawl out, bear out, beat out, blackout, black out, blissed-out, blot out, blowout, bombed-out, bow out, Boy Scout, breakout, break out, breechclout, bring out, brook trout, brownout, brown trout, bugout, bug out, burned-out, burnout, burn out, butt out, buyout, buy out, call out, campout, cash out, cast out, catch out, checkout, check out, chill out, churn out, clapped-out, clear out, closeout, come out, cookout, cop-out, cop out, crank out, Cub Scout, cutout, cut out, devout, die out, dig out, dimout, dine out, dishclout, dish out, dole out, downspout, draw out, dropout, drop out, dry out, dugout, eelpout, eke out, en route, fade-out, fake out, fallout, fall out, farm out, far-out, fill out, find out, fink out, fish out, flake out, flameout, flame out, flat-out, flunk out, foldout, force-out, foul out, freak-out, freaked-out, freeze out, full-out, get out, Girl Scout, give out, go out, grind out, gross-out, gross out, groundout, handout, hand out, hangout, hideout, holdout, hold out, horned pout, ice-out, iron out, kick out, knock out, lake trout, layout, lay out, leg out, let out, light out, lights-out, line out, lockout, lock out, lookout, look out, lose out, mahout, make out, max out, misdoubt, miss out, no doubt, nose out, opt out, pan out, pass out, payout, phaseout, phase out, pick out, pig out, pitchout, played out, play out, printout, print out, prove out, psych-out, pullout, pull out, punch out, putout, put out, rain out, rainspout, readout, read out, redoubt, redout, rollout, roll out, rub out, rubout, rule out, run out, sack out, salt out, Sea Scout, sea trout, sellout, sell out, setout, set out, shakeout, shake out, shell out, shoot-out, shout-out, shutout, shut out, sick-out, side-out, sign out, sit out, sleep out, smoke out, sold-out, spaced-out, space out, speak out, spell out, spinout, spin out, stakeout, stake out, standout, stand out, star route, step out, stick out, stop out, straight-out, stressed-out, stretch-out, strikeout, strike out, strung out, swear out, sweat out, takeout, take out, talk out, tap out, tapped out, tease out, thought-out, throughout, throw out, time-out, trade route, trot out, tryout, try out, tune out, turnout, turn out, umlaut, wait out, walkout, walk out, washed-out, washout, wash out, watch out, way-out, wear out, weird out, whacked-out, whiteout, wideout, wigged-out, wimp out, wiped out, wipeout, wipe out, without, workout, work out, worn-out, write out, zone out, zonked-out

2about

preposition

—used to indicate the object of a thought, feeling, or action

—used to indicate the subject of something said or written

: as part of (someone or something)

Full Definition of ABOUT

1
:  in a circle around :  on every side of :  around
2
a :  in the immediate neighborhood of :  near
b :  on or near the person of
c :  in the makeup of <a mature wisdom about him>
d :  at the command of <has his wits about him>
3
:  engaged in <act as if they know what they're about — T. S. Matthews>
4
a :  with regard to :  concerning <spoke about his past>
b :  concerned with
c :  fundamentally concerned with or directed toward <poker is about money — David Mamet>
5
:  over or in different parts of

First Known Use of ABOUT

before 12th century

Related to ABOUT

Synonyms
apropos, apropos of, as far as, as for, as regards (also as respects), as to, concerning, of, on, regarding, respecting, touching, toward (or towards), in regard to, in respect to, in view of, with regard to, with respect to

3about

adjective

Definition of ABOUT

1
:  moving from place to place; specifically :  being out of bed
2
:  around 2

First Known Use of ABOUT

1815
ABOUT Defined for Kids

1about

adverb \ə-ˈbat\

Definition of ABOUT for Kids

1
:  almost, nearly <about an hour ago>
2
:  on all sides :  around <Bees were swarming about.>
3
:  in the opposite direction <The ship came about.>
4
:  on the verge of <I was about to call you.>

2about

preposition

Definition of ABOUT for Kids

1
:  having to do with <The story is about dogs.>
2
:  on every side of :  around <There are trees about the house.>
3
:  over or in different parts of <He traveled about the country.>
4
:  near or not far from in time <about the middle of the month>
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