Britannica Dictionary definition of ABOUT
1
a
:
almost or nearly
-
We're about ready to go.
-
I'm about starved.
-
Are you about finished?
-
This one is about as bad as that one.
-
That's about all I know at this point.
-
It's about time to go.
-
That's about all the time we have.
-
We tried just about everything we could think of.
-
“Is there anything else to do?” “No, that's about it/all.” [=that's it/all; there is nothing else to do]
b
—
used to indicate that a number, amount, time, etc., is not exact or certain
-
The repair should cost about [=approximately, roughly] $200.
-
We should leave in about 10 minutes.
-
We got home at about 8 o'clock. = (US) We got home around about 8 o'clock. = (Brit) We got home round about 8 o'clock. [=it was approximately 8 o'clock when we got home]
2
:
very close to doing something
—
followed by to + verb
-
He is about to leave. [=he will be leaving very soon]
-
We're about to join our friends for dinner.
-
Their daughter is about to graduate from college.
—
often used with not to stress that someone will not do something
3
chiefly British
a
:
in many different directions
b
:
in many different places
-
People were standing about [=around], talking quietly in small groups.
-
His tools were scattered about [=around] carelessly.
c
:
in or near a particular area or place
4
:
in the opposite direction
2
about
/əˈbaʊt/
preposition
2
about
/əˈbaʊt/
preposition
Britannica Dictionary definition of ABOUT
1
a
—
used to indicate the object of a thought, feeling, or action
-
There has been a lot of anger about [=concerning] the decision.
-
We did something about the problems.
-
That's what I like about you.
-
What are you so pleased about?
-
I'm worried about her.
-
I forgot all about it.
-
There's a question about [=as to] how the problem should be fixed.
b
—
used to indicate the subject of something said or written
2
:
as part of (someone or something)
-
There is a mature wisdom about her. [=she has a quality of mature wisdom]
-
What was the most exciting thing about your vacation? [=what part of your vacation was most exciting?]
-
There's something weird about that guy. [=that guy is weird]
3
—
used to indicate the most important or basic part or purpose of something
4
:
near or not far from (something) in time
5
a
:
in the area near to (something or someone)
b
:
over or in different parts of (a place)
-
He traveled all about [=around] the country.
-
He's a well-known figure about [=around, throughout] the town.
c
:
on every side of (something or someone)
6
a
—
used to say that something is done quickly or slowly
-
He was slow about doing his work. [=he did his work slowly]
-
If you're going to do that, you need to be quick about it. [=you need to do it quickly]
b
chiefly British
:
in the act or process of doing (something)
3
about
/əˈbaʊt/
adjective
3
about
/əˈbaʊt/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of ABOUT