What does “around” mean?
- 1
prepositionon every side of something, or in a circle
We sat around the fire.
- 2
adverbapproximately
I’ll be there around six o’clock.
- 3
adverbin or to different parts of a place
Let me show you around.
Around at a glance
- Part of speech
- preposition & adverb
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /əˈraʊnd/ · uh-ROWND
How to use “around” correctly
In American English “around” is used where British English often uses “round” or “about”.
Common phrases with “around”
- around the world
- turn around
- around here
- look around
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- about
- approximately
Idioms with “around”
- Around the clock: All day and all night, without stopping.
- Beat around the bush: To avoid talking about the main point, usually because it is awkward or unpleasant.
“around” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- above prepositionA1in or to a higher position than something
- behind prepositionA1at or toward the back of something
- between prepositionA1in the space that separates two things or people
- inside prepositionA1in or into a building, container or space
- near prepositionA1a short distance from something
- over prepositionA1above or across something
- under prepositionA1below or lower than something
- across prepositionA2from one side to the other side of something