- 1
In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around.
- The snake was coiled about his ankle.
- 2
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
- Rubbish was strewn about the place.
- The children were running about the room.
- He was well known about town.
- 3
Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something. See about to. On the point or verge of.
- 4
See about to.
- 5
On the point or verge of.
- 6
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of.
- He talked a lot about his childhood.
- We must do something about this problem.
- He is very mad about all the pranks.
- 7
Concerned or occupied with; engaged in; intent on.
- just going about their business
- Have you much hay about?
- “What’s Mary doin'?” “Oh! oo’s about th’ butter.”
- 8
Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
- I can’t find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
- John’s in the garden, probably somewhere about the woodshed.
- 9
On or near (one’s person).
- I had no weapon about me but a stick.
- The policy covers all belongings and other personal things that somebody can carry about them.
- He has his wits about him.
- 10
Attached as an attribute to; in the makeup of, or at the command of.
- He has his wits about him.
- There was an air of confidence about the woman.
about
ә'baut8 senses · 35 ms
Level A1高考中考Oxford 3000
- 1
On all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around.
- I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
- 2
Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
- Bits of old machinery were lying about.
- 3
From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
- walking about; rushing about; jumping about; thrashing about
- 4
Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
- messing about; fooling about; loafing about
- 5
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
- It’s about as cold as it was last winter.
- He owes me about three hundred dollars.
- Dinner’s about ready.
- 6
Near; in the vicinity.
- 7
To a reversed order, direction, or condition; half round; in (or to, or from) the opposite direction.
- to face about; to turn oneself about
- We went about and headed offshore.
- 8
To the opposite tack: see go about.
- We went about and headed offshore.
- 9
In succession, one after another.
- 10
In rotation or revolution.
- 11
In the course of events.
- to bring about, to come about
- 12
In circuit or circumference; circularly.
- The island was a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
- 13
By a circuitous way; circuitously.
- 1
Moving around or in motion; astir.
- out and about; up and about
- After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.
- 2
In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
- This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.
- 3
Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
- I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
- Watch out, there's a thief about.
- 1
To change the course of (a ship) to the other tack; to bring (a ship) about.
- 2
To about-face (turn 180 degrees, like a soldier).