around

a·round

Use around in a sentence

adverb

Around is defined as in a circle or ring.

A tie is an example of something that goes around one's neck.

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"around." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/around>.

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around. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/around

around

round; esp.,
1. in a circle; along a circular course or circumference
2. in or through a course or circuit, as from one place to another
3. on all sides; in every direction
4. in circumference
5. in or to the opposite direction, belief, etc.
6. in various places; here and there
7. in succession or sequence: his turn came around
8. in every part; throughout: the year around
Informal within a close periphery; nearby: stay around
Informal to a (specified or understood) place: come around to see us
Informal nearly; approximately; about: around five pounds

Origin of around

Middle English from a-, on + round: all senses derive from those of “circling, within a circle”

1. on the circumference, border, or outer part of
2. so as to encircle
so as to surround or envelop
from the beginning to the end of (a period of time); throughout
so as to rotate or revolve about (an axis or center)
on all sides of; in every direction from
1. in various places in or on; here and there in; all about
2. to or through every part or various parts of; in a circuit or course through
1. so as to make a curve or partial circuit about
2. at a point reached by making such a circuit about: the house around the corner
so as to master or overcome (an obstacle or problem): we got around the boss by finding a substitute
in the vicinity of; near to: somewhere around the building
somewhat close to; about: it happened around 1965
so as to be based on: a speech written around a favorite concept

on the move; about: he's up and around now
existing; living: when dinosaurs were around

around Idioms

have been around

Informal to have had wide experience; be sophisticated

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MLA Style

"around." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/around>.

APA Style

around. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/around

around

adverb

a. On all sides: dirty clothes lying around.
b. In close to all sides from all directions: a field bordered around with tall trees.
In a circle or with a circular motion: spun around twice.
In succession or rotation: passed the collection plate around; seasons that rolled around each year.
In or toward the opposite direction or position: wheeled around to face the attacker.
a. To or among various places; here and there: wander around.
b. To a specific place: Come around again sometime.
In or near one's current location: waited around for the next flight.
From the beginning to the end: frigid weather the year around.
Approximately; about: weighed around 30 pounds; around $1.3 billion in debt.

preposition

On all sides of: trees around the field.
In such a position as to encircle or surround: a sash around the waist.
a. Here and there within; throughout: on the political stump around the country.
b. In the immediate vicinity of; near: She lives around Norfolk.
On or to the farther side of: the house around the corner.
So as to pass, bypass, or avoid: a way around an obstacle; got around the difficulty somehow.
Approximately at: woke up around seven.
In such a way as to have a basis or center in: an economy focused around farming and light industry.

adjective

Having a given circumference or perimeter: a pond two miles around.
Being in existence: Our old dog is no longer around.
Being in evidence; present: asked if the store manager was around.

Origin of around

Middle English probably a- in ; see a- ². round circle ; see round ¹.

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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MLA Style

"around." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/around>.

APA Style

around. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/around

Preposition

Defining a circle or closed curve containing a thing.
I planted a row of lillies around the statue. The jackals began to gather around [someone or something].
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.
(of distance, time) Near; in the vicinity of.
I left my keys somewhere around here. I left the house around 10 this morning. There isn't another house here for miles around. I'll see you around [the neighbourhood, etc.]
At various places in.
The pages from the notebook were scattered around the room. Those teenagers like to hang around the mall.

Adjective

(not comparable)

(informal, with the verb "to be") Alive; existing.
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."

Adverb

(not comparable)

Generally.
From place to place.
There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt.
She went around the office and got everyone to sign the card.
Look around and see what you find.
We moved the furniture around in the living room.
From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.
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.
The patient was unconscious but the doctor brought him around quickly. (see bring around, come around)
I didn't think he would ever like the new design, but eventually we brought him around. (see bring around, come around)
(with turn, spin, etc.) Partially or completely rotated, including to face in the opposite direction.
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
Stop kidding around. I'm serious.
I asked around, and no-one really liked it.
Shopping around can get you a better deal.
When are you going to stop whoring around, find a nice girl, and give us grandchildren?

Origin

From Middle English around, arounde, from a- (from Old English a- (“on, at”)) + Middle English round (“circle, round”), equivalent to a- +‎ round. Cognate with Scots aroond, aroon (“around”). Displaced earlier Middle English umbe, embe (“around”) (from Old English ymbe (“around”)). See umbe.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.

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MLA Style

"around." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 July 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/around>.

APA Style

around. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/around

around

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Sentence Examples

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