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about English

Meaning about meaning

What does about mean?

Definitions in simple English

about Preposition

— You use about to say what subject something is related to. Let's not talk about her problems. — If something moves about, it moves this way and that way. He walked about the place, looking everywhere. — Having to do with, concerning, regarding. I will talk about dogs.

about Adverb

— You use about before a number or amount, to say that it may be a little more or a little less. We're here just about every week. About two years ago, I started skiing.

about Adjective

— Something is about to happen, it will happen very soon; almost going to happen. Please be seated. We're about to begin.

about

— adverb (= approximately, close to, just about, some, roughly, more or less, around, or so) (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct lasted approximately an hour in just about a minute he's about 30 years old I've had about all I can stand we meet about once a month some forty people came weighs around a hundred pounds roughly $3,000 holds 3 gallons, more or less 20 or so people were at the party — adverb (= around) all around or on all sides dirty clothes lying around (or about) let's look about for help There were trees growing all around she looked around her — adverb (= around) in the area or vicinity a few spectators standing about hanging around waited around for the next flight — adverb (= around) in or to a reversed position or direction about face suddenly she turned around — adverb (= around) used of movement to or among many different places or in no particular direction wandering about with no place to go people were rushing about news gets around (or about) traveled around in Asia he needs advice from someone who's been around she sleeps around — adverb in rotation or succession turn about is fair play — adverb (= almost, most, nearly, near, nigh, virtually, well-nigh) (of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but the job is (just) about done the baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded we're almost finished the car all but ran her down he nearly fainted talked for nigh onto 2 hours the recording is well-nigh perfect virtually all the parties signed the contract I was near exhausted by the run most everyone agrees — adjective (= astir) on the move up and about the whole town was astir over the incident

Synonyms about synonyms

What other words have the same or similar meaning as about?

about English » English

approximately around concerning regarding roughly nearly almost on some circa near of to round or so at more or less close to with regard to upon towards toward for by astir as regards nearby just about from close with reference to with virtually pertaining to over nigh than round about re on account of just as to a with respect to well-nigh something like so roundly respecting relating to

Topics about topics

What do people use about to talk about?

States Quantity All Exact

Approximate

What words indicate that a particular number or amount is approximate?

about approximately roughly give or take at a guess somewhere in the region of an estimated some something like in round numbers close to
What words indicate that something happens at an approximate time?

about around approximately round about or thereabouts circa some time
What words indicate that something happens at an approximate place?

about around in the vicinity of near close to

Language and thought Communication Say Talk about a subject

Be about, subject

What words refer to being about something or someone?

be about something concern deal with be concerned with center on focus on address cover depict discuss dwell on present portray treat
What words indicate what something is about?

about on concerning on the subject of regarding re with regard to in of

States Quantity All

Almost

What words indicate that someone has almost reached a place?

almost nearly just about
What words indicate that something has almost reached a particular state?

almost nearly very nearly just about practically virtually all but as good as to all intents and purposes nearing approaching near to close to verging on bordering on more or less pretty much not quite
What words indicate that something is almost finished?

almost nearly just about practically as good as more or less not quite
What words indicate that something is almost the best or worst example of some quality?

almost nearly practically virtually just about verging on bordering on
What words indicate that something is true of or has happened to almost all of something?

almost nearly practically virtually pretty well more or less just about

Language and thought Think Mind

Think about

What words refer to thinking about something for a period of time?

think about brood cogitate consider give consideration to contemplate meditate muse mull over occupy your mind ponder reconsider reflect reflection ruminate speculate study weigh wonder go around in your mind do some thinking keep your mind on have something on your mind deduce deduction induction inductive logic apply yourself pay attention bethink conclude observe process reason theorize
What words refer to thinking about what is good for someone?

be concerned about care about
What words refer to thinking before making a decision?

think about look at think over consider think something out think twice think of take into consideration take into account

Language and thought Emotion Feel good

Like, love

What words refer to liking something?

like have a liking for adore enjoy be fond of proud of someone fancy something have a fancy for take a fancy to care for have affection for admire look up to think highly of approve pleased admire appeals to you be to your liking go down well savor (v) luxuriate be happy with feel good toward feel good about
What words refer to liking something very much?

love adore delight enthusiastic about enthusiasm for be mad about be crazy about be attached to have a passion for

Grammar Part of speech

Prepositions, postpositions

What prepositions are in your language?

in on at from to away toward about

Person Life Marriage

Imagine

What words refer to imagining something that you would like to do?

daydream (v) dream about dream of fantasize live in a fantasy world

Language and thought Think

Learn

What words refer to learning something no one else knows or something that is secret?

discover discovery find out about

Language and thought Think Learn

Study

What words refer to studying something?

study analyze check concern yourself with consider determine examine experiment (v) follow inquire into investigate learn look into/for look something up probe prowl seek search research study test trace track trail try to find out about

Language and thought Think

Expect

What words refer to an expectation happening?

come true come about be fulfilled materialize

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Like, love

Self-esteem

What words refer to feeling good about yourself?

feel good about yourself

Language and thought Emotion Feel good

Interested

What words refer to feeling interested in something?

be interested in show interest express interest find something interesting take an interest in be curious about

Language and thought Emotion Feel good Interested

Obsessed

What words refer to feeling obsessed with something?

be obsessed with be fascinated by can't get something out of your mind have a thing about have an unhealthy interest in have a one-track mind

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Sad

Dislike

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad

Afraid

What words refer to feeling afraid for a long time?

phobia have a phobia about live in fear dread (n) dread (v)

Language and thought Emotion Feel bad Afraid

Worried

What do people say when they don't want someone to worry?

Don't worry. There's nothing to worry about. Rest assured. Never mind.

Language and thought Communication Say

Talk about a subject

What words refer to talking about a subject?

talk about dwell on discuss address treat cover

Language and thought Communication Say Criticize

Complain

What words refer to complaining all the time?

bitch gripe (v) grumble moan nag (v) whine go on about

Language and thought Communication

Story

What words refer to a story about a person's life?

my/your/his story tell about yourself biography biographical biographer autobiography autobiographical

Language and thought Communication Sign, symbol

Laugh

What words refer to laughing for a long time?

can't stop laughing have the giggles fall over/about laughing have a good laugh laugh till the tears roll down your cheeks

Social behavior Relationships

Know someone

What words refer to knowing about someone, whom you have not met?

know someone's name know of someone have heard the name have heard of someone have heard about someone

Social behavior Behavior

Love

What words refer to loving someone?

love (v) like attached care about cherish be close feel friendly toward favor hold in favor feel favorable toward be fond of wish someone well hope things turn out well for someone be partial to be enshrined in your heart

Social behavior Behavior Self-controlled

Untidy

What words refer to making something untidy?

make a mess mess something up clutter ransack leave something lying about

Social behavior Law Trial

Witness, testify

What words refer to testifying in a court?

witness testify give evidence tell about recount provide information facts truth false witness perjure perjury report cross-examine hearsay

States Time Relative time Right time

Late

What do people say to someone who is late?

about time too

Grammar General words Be

Become, change state

What words are used of causing or producing a state?

produce cause to be make to be make make into result in bring upon bring about

Grammar General words

Do

What general words refer to someone doing something?

do act actuate behave accomplish achieve attain conduct effectuate engage in execute exercise exert function give go about dabble in implement manage perform practice progress undertake up to use utilize work operate be involved in

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Certainly, definitely

What words indicate that something is certainly true?

certainly absolutely definitely there is no doubt undoubtedly without a doubt without doubt without a shadow of a doubt unquestionably be beyond dispute there's no denying there are no two ways about it there is no question

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Uncertain

What words indicate that something is uncertain, but it is likely that something bad will happen?

uncertain doubtful be in doubt there is doubt about it's touch and go hang in the balance iffy

Grammar Semantic constituents related to verbs Epistemic moods

Unsure

What words refer to not being sure about something?

not be sure not be certain be unsure be uncertain not know doubt wonder can't be sure not be confident be indefinite about ambivalent

Grammar Connected with, related Discourse markers

Markers of transition

What words are used to join two clauses or sentences without specifying the relationship between them?

and then but now it happened that it came to pass that one day my next topic is my next point is now about

Examples about examples

How do I use about in a sentence?

Simple sentences

She doesn't want to talk about it.

All I need to know about life, I learned from a snowman.

This is the town I told you about.

How did you get to know about her?

What about having fish for dinner?

Forget about that right now.

I don't give a damn about it!

I don't give a damn about it.

It is no use arguing about it.

There is no doubt whatever about it.

What do you think about it?

Your offer is very attractive, but we will have to think about it.

I suppose it's different when you think about it over the long term.

Don't worry about it!

Are you sure about this?

Let's think about the worst that could happen.

Let us think about the worst that could happen.

Most people write about their daily life.

I think I have a theory about that.

You wanted to tell me about freedom?

If I wanted to scare you, I would tell you what I dreamt about a few weeks ago.

I wish I could care more about my grades but it seems that, at a certain point of my life, I decided they wouldn't be so important anymore.

To have doubts about oneself is the first sign of intelligence.

You'll forget about me someday.

My parents keep arguing about stupid things. It's so annoying!

When I ask people what they regret most about high school, they nearly all say the same thing: that they wasted so much time.

Prime numbers are like life; they are completely logical, but impossible to find the rules for, even if you spend all your time thinking about it.

Movie subtitles

It's about time.

We found out about it..

Nowadays we don't have much customers and we're about to starve to death.

Especially guys like you who always talk about love? I don't believe in it more.

What about Minjoo?

To report about our presence here.

We care about others, Frank.

Princess, about the mobilization effort.

You're being very careless about this.

And that contract you were talking about.

The story about being chased by bad people.

Are you concerned about me?

It's about that phone call from before.

The information about Zero.

The story about being chased by bad people. Meow.

Maximum distance is about 270 meters.

Oh, and sorry about interrupting your little get together.

I heard about it, Euphemia.

What about the Black Knights?

Sorry about having you drop me off like this.

Is it about Euphy?

We should ask the Rosenberg Institute about that.

What about that band of nebulous light, the Milky Way?

So, there is a place where the photographic plate is put, about here.

All I could think about was putting my hand in her back pocket.

What are you talking about?

Know what, pal D Don't worry about paying me back.

What if she rips me off again? Don't worry about it.

You should think about getting out of the game for a while.

He doesn't fucking care about this anymore.

The only reason I told Nick about Johnny.

I'm talking about, it's easy for kids to get sucked in 'because it seems like easy money.

When I found out about Johnny, my first plan was to walk up to him and punch him in the nose.

I thought about it, I realized that wouldn't really change things. Let's hook back outside.

We're all really busted up about how things went down with Johnny. I know he's a friend of yours, but he's a friend of ours too.

While he was gone, I kept hoping Nick would forgive him and think about what I'd said, but. it seemed like his mind was made up.

One. That's what I'm talking about.

Then, when he did, I made this huge deal about turning my back on him.

News and current affairs

SAN FRANCISCO - It has never been easy to have a rational conversation about the value of gold.

Altogether, there were about 100 of us, President Mbeki included, around a roaring fire.

He gave a fascinating talk about his adventures, complete with clips of him floating around, catching bubbles in his mouth, and so on.

Not all are happy about this American notion.

Because rapid fiscal deterioration now has investors worrying about capital losses on US government securities, devaluation would make foreigners more hesitant to finance America's budget deficit.

Given that America benefits mightily from China's purchases of US government securities, it is difficult to understand why the US government and Congress have been complaining so much about the bilateral current-account deficit.

But revelations about the nuclear weapons smuggling network organized by A. Q. Khan, the father of Pakistan's bomb, confirm the danger I predicted back then.

Now it hints that it may resume enrichment, and recent press reports about the imports from Pakistan suggest Iran failed to disclose everything to the IAEA.

European foreign ministers have already expressed their concerns about Iran's nuclear program.

All too often, the fight is about turf, rather than about the most effective way to speed help to the poor.

The complexities of black anger, white guilt, and of black, and white fear, are so vexed that most Americans prefer not to talk about race at all.

There is, however, a danger that it will have an adverse affect on the necessary national discussion about race.

The companies routinely bribe officials to gain oil leases, lie about output, evade taxes, and dodge responsibility for the environmental damage that they cause.

And if you are really worried about that, gold might indeed be the most reliable hedge.

But gold bugs are right to worry about whether the government will honor its commitments under more extreme circumstances.

In fact, my formal residence is in New York City, but I am about to spend most of the next five months in Russia, training to be a cosmonaut in Star City, just outside Moscow.

It all came about in a number of ways.

Then I got distracted for about 40 years.

Meanwhile, in about 2005, I was in South Africa with a small group advising former President Thabo Mbeki and his government about its IT policy.

That leaves only about one-third of total federal spending from which to cut, and much of that goes to the defense budget, which Republicans will attempt to protect in the future.

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