around
1 of 3adverb
ə-ˈrau̇nd 
1
a
: in a circle or in circumference
The wheel goes around.
a tree five feet around
b
: in, along, or through a circuit
The road goes around by the lake.
2
a
: on all or various sides : in every or any direction
papers lying around
There was nothing for miles around.
b
: in close from all sides so as to surround
People crowded around.
c
: in or near one's present place or situation
We had to wait around awhile.
3
a
: here and there : from one place to another
She travels around on business.
b
: to a particular place
You should come around for dinner.
c
—used with some verbs to indicate repeated or continued action
He's always joking around when he should be serious.Don't play around with your food.
4
a
: in rotation or succession
Another winter has come around.
b
: from beginning to end : through
The weather is mild the year around.
c
: in order
the other way around
5
: in or to an opposite direction or position
turn around
6
: with some approach to exactness : approximately
It costs around $5.
around
2 of 3preposition
1
a
: on all sides of
a yard with a fence around it
b
: so as to encircle or enclose
seated around the table
c
: so as to avoid or get past : on or to another side of
trying to find a way around their objections
We went around the lake.
around the corner
d
: near
lives around Chicago
around the turn of the century
2
: in all directions outward from
Look around you.
3
: here and there in or throughout
They went barnstorming around the country.
4
: so as to have a center or basis in
a society organized around kinship ties
around
3 of 3adjective
1
: about sense 1
He has been up and around for two days.
2
: being in existence, evidence, or circulation
… the most intelligent of the artists around today.—
R. M. Coates
R. M. Coates
Synonyms
Adverb
- about
- round
Preposition
- about
- by
- near
- next to
- nigh
Adjective
- alive
- existent
- existing
- extant
- living
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adverb Don't take the long way around: I know a shortcut. He entered the room and looked around. This is a very interesting town: let me show you around. I'm not sure where it is, but it must be around somewhere. It's safer when there are other people around. I'd like to speak to him if he's around. Preposition The people were seated around the table. A crowd gathered around him. He tied the rope around his waist. We went all around the lake enjoying the different views. They sailed around the world. He's a well-known figure around the town. We drove all around the town looking for him. This is a very interesting town: let me show you around it. We took a tour around New England. You can find lots of good restaurants around here. Adjective she's generally regarded as one of the most talented singers around See More
Recent Examples on the WebPCMAG, 3 Feb. 2023 All the materials seem high-quality, but the unit is still lightweight enough to move around as needed. —Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2023 These modern four-wheel-drive vehicles are meant primarily to move troops around, and each can accommodate up to eight infantrymen. —Naomi Schanen, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2023 By the following day, the adults are acting like adults and the children are running around as children should. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2023 But with kids running around or other similar obligations, that's not always possible. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2023 On the other hand, a different technique—called functional near infrared dpectroscopy (fNIRS)—can be used while people move around naturally. —WIRED, 30 Jan. 2023 These tables also give you the freedom to move around without restriction, enabling you to work more effectively and efficiently. —Expert Panel, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 The large size made our tester feel secure and comfortable to move around with ease, but the tension was on the firmer size, so more effort is needed to get enough height. —Lacey Muinos, Health, 27 Jan. 2023 Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2023 Lent is right around the corner and many local churches are preparing to welcome the community to reflect and pray. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 20 Feb. 2023 On-campus collaboration Several collaborative programs are already underway on college and corporate campuses around the state. —Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2023 Petunia enjoys getting her energy out by splashing in the water and running around her enclosure, zookeepers said. —Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 To tie the rest of it together, the Moulin Rouge star styled her blonde hair into a messy top bun with framing pieces around her face. —Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 16 Feb. 2023 Alison ran around their hotel completely naked before knocking on her hubby’s door and wishing him a happy premiere day. —Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 Video footage that circulated online indicated that large crowds gathered around Zhongshan Park in Wuhan, as the police tried to divide them by imposing barricades. —Claire Fu, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 The owl was then spotted having a sightseeing tour of Manhattan with stops including New York’s 5th Avenue and various points around Central Park. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2023 Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 3 Feb. 2023 In this corner, standing 5-foot-3 and winner of the 2022 NCAA women’s gymnastics all-around title, Florida’s Trinity Thomas. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023 In 1983, Dianne Durham became the first Black woman to win the U.S.A. Gymnastics senior national championship and beat Mary Lou Retton to take the all-around title at the McDonald’s International Gymnastics Championship in Los Angeles. —Andrea Williams Taylor Baucom, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2022 The 17-year-old who trains at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Plano had been a virtual lock to lead the U.S. team in Liverpool, England, in late October after winning the two-day national championship all-around title in August. —Dallas News, 5 Oct. 2022 She's poised to become the first woman to win back-to-back all-around titles in more than 50 years. —Jeva Lange, The Week, 23 July 2021 On Sunday, Biles made history once again by becoming the first American woman to win seven national women’s all-around titles at the 2021 US Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, TX. —Asia Ewart, refinery29.com, 8 June 2021 Biles and Mikulak have each won six all-around titles, and in the same years. —USA TODAY, 4 June 2021 Mules guard Chico Strash, who had a game-high 13 points, was one of nine Alamo Heights players to score in a balanced, all-around effort. —Luke Lawhorn, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Jan. 2023 See More
Adverb
The camera relies on a laser autofocusing system and features widened optical image stabilization (the sensor has more room to move around to compensate for jitters). —PCMAG, 3 Feb. 2023 All the materials seem high-quality, but the unit is still lightweight enough to move around as needed. —Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2023 These modern four-wheel-drive vehicles are meant primarily to move troops around, and each can accommodate up to eight infantrymen. —Naomi Schanen, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2023 By the following day, the adults are acting like adults and the children are running around as children should. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2023 But with kids running around or other similar obligations, that's not always possible. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2023 On the other hand, a different technique—called functional near infrared dpectroscopy (fNIRS)—can be used while people move around naturally. —WIRED, 30 Jan. 2023 These tables also give you the freedom to move around without restriction, enabling you to work more effectively and efficiently. —Expert Panel, Forbes, 27 Jan. 2023 The large size made our tester feel secure and comfortable to move around with ease, but the tension was on the firmer size, so more effort is needed to get enough height. —Lacey Muinos, Health, 27 Jan. 2023 Preposition
Being around big-league players, catching big-league pitchers, that's important. —Todd Rosiak, Journal Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2023 Lent is right around the corner and many local churches are preparing to welcome the community to reflect and pray. —Ana Rocío Álvarez Bríñez, The Courier-Journal, 20 Feb. 2023 On-campus collaboration Several collaborative programs are already underway on college and corporate campuses around the state. —Erica E. Phillips, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2023 Petunia enjoys getting her energy out by splashing in the water and running around her enclosure, zookeepers said. —Dana Hedgpeth, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2023 To tie the rest of it together, the Moulin Rouge star styled her blonde hair into a messy top bun with framing pieces around her face. —Adrianna Freedman, Good Housekeeping, 16 Feb. 2023 Alison ran around their hotel completely naked before knocking on her hubby’s door and wishing him a happy premiere day. —Jacqueline Tempera, Women's Health, 16 Feb. 2023 Video footage that circulated online indicated that large crowds gathered around Zhongshan Park in Wuhan, as the police tried to divide them by imposing barricades. —Claire Fu, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2023 The owl was then spotted having a sightseeing tour of Manhattan with stops including New York’s 5th Avenue and various points around Central Park. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2023 Adjective
Lee scored two perfect 10s, setting the program career record for 10s in the process, and took home the all-around title at Coleman Coliseum, but the Tigers fell to the Tide, 197.850-197.700 in a head-to-head dual meet. —Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 3 Feb. 2023 In this corner, standing 5-foot-3 and winner of the 2022 NCAA women’s gymnastics all-around title, Florida’s Trinity Thomas. —Edgar Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023 In 1983, Dianne Durham became the first Black woman to win the U.S.A. Gymnastics senior national championship and beat Mary Lou Retton to take the all-around title at the McDonald’s International Gymnastics Championship in Los Angeles. —Andrea Williams Taylor Baucom, New York Times, 19 Nov. 2022 The 17-year-old who trains at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Plano had been a virtual lock to lead the U.S. team in Liverpool, England, in late October after winning the two-day national championship all-around title in August. —Dallas News, 5 Oct. 2022 She's poised to become the first woman to win back-to-back all-around titles in more than 50 years. —Jeva Lange, The Week, 23 July 2021 On Sunday, Biles made history once again by becoming the first American woman to win seven national women’s all-around titles at the 2021 US Gymnastics Championships in Fort Worth, TX. —Asia Ewart, refinery29.com, 8 June 2021 Biles and Mikulak have each won six all-around titles, and in the same years. —USA TODAY, 4 June 2021 Mules guard Chico Strash, who had a game-high 13 points, was one of nine Alamo Heights players to score in a balanced, all-around effort. —Luke Lawhorn, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Adverb
Middle English arounde, a round "along the margin, on all sides," from a- a- entry 1 + round, rounde round entry 3
Preposition
Middle English, derivative of around around entry 1
Adjective
derivative of around entry 1
First Known Use
Adverb
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Preposition
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adjective
1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing around
Kids Definition
around
1 of 2 adverb ə-ˈrau̇nd
1
: in circumference
a tree five feet around
2
: in or along a curving path
3
: on all sides
papers lying around
4
: nearby
stick around a while
5
: here and there in various places
travel around
6
: to each in turn
pass the fruit around
7
: from beginning to end
mild the year around
8
: in or to an opposite direction or position
turn around
9
: close to : approximately
costs around $20
around
2 of 2 preposition1
a
: on all sides of
were fields around the village
b
: so as to encircle or enclose
people seated around the table
c
: on or to another side of
voyage around Cape Horn
d
: near to
lives around Chicago
2
: here and there in or throughout
travel around the country
around 1 of 3
preposition
1
as in near
close to I wouldn't stand around those rocks—there could be snakes under them Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- near
- at
- across
- beside
- about
- by
- along
- next to
- nigh
- next door to
- alongside
- toward
- towards
- circa
2
as in over
in random positions within the boundaries of huge, strangely shaped rocks were scattered around the canyon floor Synonyms & Similar Words
- over
- across
- throughout
- on
- about
- through
- round
around
2 of 3adverb
1
as in about
on all sides or in every direction he looked around butterflies were flying all around Synonyms & Similar Words
- about
- round
- everywhere
- everyplace
- all over
- hereabouts
- abroad
- afloat
- hereabout
2
as in back
toward the opposite direction she turned around and saw him Synonyms & Similar Words
- back
- round
- backward
- down
- backwards
- about
- behind
- across
- downward
- rearwards
- downwards
- rearward
- counter
- counterclockwise
- reversely
- athwart
- widdershins
- withershins
- obversely
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- clockwise
- deasil
3
as in in
at, within, or to a short distance or time our dog usually stays around our yard he'll be getting in around 6:00 Synonyms & Similar Words
- in
- close
- near
- nearby
- by
- within call
- at hand
- at close quarters
- along
- nigh
- hard
- alongside
- hereabouts
- on one's doorstep
- thereabouts
- hereaway
- hereabout
- hereaways
- thereabout
- conveniently
- handily
- accessibly
4
as in through
from beginning to end a team that plays all year around Synonyms & Similar Words
- through
- over
- throughout
- round
5
as in approximately
close to but not exactly there's around a hundred books still left to be packed in boxes Synonyms & Similar Words
- approximately
- about
- roughly
- like
- some
- near
- somewhere around
- nearly
- say
- somewhere about
- after a fashion
- much
- generally
- loosely
- plus or minus
- practically
- virtually
- more or less
- kind of
- nominally
- well-nigh
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- precisely
- even
- exactly
- just
- squarely
- due
- sharp
- smack-dab
6
as in everywhere
in one place and another while typewriters can still be seen around, they are no longer the common office fixtures they once were Synonyms & Similar Words
- everywhere
- throughout
- about
- passim
- everyplace
- ubiquitously
- all over
- here and there
- high and low
- right and left
- far and wide
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- nowhere
around
3 of 3adjective
as in existing
having being at the present time she's generally regarded as one of the most talented singers around Synonyms & Similar Words
- existing
- living
- extant
- operating
- existent
- working
- busy
- alive
- active
- functioning
- flourishing
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- dead
- gone
- destroyed
- extinct
- departed
- nonextant
- lost
- defunct
- nonexistent
- idle
- exterminated
- inactive
- inert
- kaput
- kaputt