around

Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).

• She wore a gold chain around her neck.
• I planted a row of lilies around the statue.

Centred upon; surrounding; regarding.

• We could use some clarification around the new rules.
• There has been a lot of controversy around the handling of personal information.

Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.

• We walked around the football field.
• She went around the track fifty times.

Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve.

• The road took a brief detour around the large rock formation, then went straight on.

Near; in the vicinity of; approximately.

• I left my keys somewhere around here.
• I left the house around 10 this morning.

At or to various places within or throughout.

• The pages from the notebook were scattered around the room.
• Those teenagers like to hang around the mall.

So as to avoid something.figuratively

• Our product designs around the existing patents to avoid infringing them.

Present in the vicinity.informalnot-comparablepredicative

• Is Clare around today?

Alive; existing.informalnot-comparablepredicative

• The record store on Main Street? Yes, it's still around.
• "How is old Bob? I heard that his health is failing." "Oh, he's still around. He's feeling better now."

So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.not-comparable

• High above, vultures circled around.

So as to surround or be near.not-comparable

• Everybody please gather around.
• There isn't another house for miles around.

Nearly; approximately; about.not-comparable

• Around a thousand people attended.
• An adult elephant weighs around five tons.

From place to place.not-comparable

• There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt.
• Look around and see what you find.

From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.not-comparable

• The team wasn't doing well, but the new coach really turned things around.
• He used to stay up late but his new girlfriend changed that around.

So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.not-comparableusually

• Turn around at the end of this street.
• She spun around a few times.

Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people.not-comparable

• I asked around, and no-one really liked it.
• Shopping around can get you a better deal.

Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity.not-comparable

• sit around, mess around, loaf around