around
around Lexical Profile
around Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
Approximately; used to indicate a rough estimate of a number, quantity, or time.
"The seminar lasted around two hours and included a lively question-and-answer session."
Located or situated on every side, or in the surrounding area.
"From the observation deck, visitors could see snow-capped mountains all around."
In or to many places, often without a fixed plan or specific direction.
"We spent the morning walking around and admiring the historic architecture."
So as to rotate or face in the opposite direction.
"He turned around when he heard someone calling his name from across the courtyard."
• preposition
On every side of; surrounding or encircling a central point or object.
"The students gathered around the laboratory table to observe the chemical reaction."
In or to various places throughout an area or community.
"They cycled around the neighborhood to distribute flyers for the charity book sale."
Following a curved path so as to pass the corner, edge, or obstacle of something.
"The delivery van turned around the corner and parked in front of the main entrance."
Centered on or having as a focal point or central theme.
"The curriculum is structured around collaborative problem-solving and critical inquiry."
• adjective
Present, nearby, or available for communication or interaction.
"Please let me know if the manager is around this afternoon so we can discuss the schedule."
Alive, active, or in existence.
"That historic bakery has been around since the late nineteenth century."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an adjective meaning present or active, 'around' is strictly predicate and can only appear after a linking verb (e.g., 'she is around'), never directly before a noun.
• Rhymes for around
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English as the phrase 'on round' or 'in round', combining the Old English preposition 'on' (reduced to 'a-') with the Anglo-French noun 'round' (from Latin 'rotundus', meaning circular).