about

a|bout¹ W1S1 [əˈbaut] prep

1.) concerning or relating to a particular subject

▪ a book about politics

▪ She said something about leaving town.

▪ He lied about his age.

▪ About that car of yours. How much are you selling it for?

▪ What's he on about (=talking about) ?

▪ It's about Tommy, doctor. He's been sick again.

▪ Naturally, my mother wanted to know all about it (=all the details relating to it) .

2.) used to show why someone is angry, happy, upset etc

▪ I'm really worried about Jack.

▪ She's upset about missing the party.

3.) in many different directions within a particular place, or in different parts of a place

= ↑around, round ↑round

▪ We spent the whole afternoon walking about town.

▪ Books were scattered about the room.

4.) in the nature or character of a person or thing

▪ There's something really strange about Liza.

▪ What I like about the job is that it's never boring.

5.) what/how about sb/sth

spoken

a) used to ask a question that directs attention to another person or thing

▪ What about Jack? We can't just leave him here.

▪ I'm feeling hungry. How about you?

b) used to make a suggestion

▪ How about a salad for lunch?

6.) do sth about sth

to do something to solve a problem or stop a bad situation

▪ If we don't do something about it, the problem is going to get worse.

▪ What can be done about the rising levels of pollution?

7.) if an organization, a job, an activity etc is about something, that is its basic purpose

▪ Leadership is all about getting your team to co-operate.

8.) while you're about it

spoken used to tell someone to do something while they are doing something else because it would be easier to do both things at the same time

▪ Go and see what's the matter, and while you're about it you can fetch me my sweater.

9.) what was all that about?

spoken used to ask the reason for something that has just happened, especially someone's angry behaviour

10.) literary surrounding a person or thing

▪ Jo sensed fear and jealousy all about her.

→be quick about it at ↑quick¹ (5), go about your business at ↑business

about ²

about² W1S1 adv

[: Old English; Origin: abutan, from a- 'on' + butan 'outside']

1.) also round about spoken

a little more or less than a particular number, amount, or size

= ↑roughly

▪ I live about 10 miles away.

▪ a tiny computer about as big as a postcard

▪ We left the restaurant at round about 10.30.

2.) BrE in many different directions within a place or in different parts of a place

= ↑around

▪ People were rushing about, trying to find the driver.

▪ Cushions were scattered about on the chairs.

3.) near to you or in the same place as you

▪ Is Derrick about? There's a phone call for him.

▪ Quick! Let's go while there's no-one about.

4.) BrE spoken existing or available now

▪ I hope she hasn't caught flu. There's a lot of it about .

▪ She might get temporary work, but there's not much about.

5.) informal almost or probably

▪ I was about ready to leave when somebody rang the doorbell.

▪ 'Have you finished?' ' Just about .'

▪ It's just about the worst mistake anyone could make.

6.) that's about it/all

spoken

a) used to tell someone that you have told them everything you know

▪ He was a quiet chap, married with kids. That's about it, really.

b) used to say that there is nothing else available

▪ There's some cheese in the fridge and that's about it.

7.) so as to face in the opposite direction

▪ He quickly turned about and walked away.

about ³

about³ adj

1.) be about to do sth

if someone is about to do something, or if something is about to happen, they will do it or it will happen very soon

▪ We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived.

▪ Work was about to start on a new factory building.

2.) not be about to do sth informal

used to emphasize that you have no intention of doing something

▪ I've never smoked in my life and I'm not about to start now.

→out and about at ↑out¹ (3), be up and about at ↑up¹ (11)