Around
/əˈraʊnd/
Definitions
3 meaningsEncircling, surrounding, or in the vicinity of.
/əˈraʊnd/
Surrounding or encompassing something.
The birds flew around the tree.
💡 Simply: Nearby or surrounding something.
More Examples
There are many shops around here.
How It's Used
"The children gathered around the campfire."
"We walked around the lake."
In a circle or curving path.
/əˈraʊnd/
In a circular direction or path.
Turn around.
💡 Simply: Going in a circle.
More Examples
The Earth revolves around the sun.
How It's Used
"The car drove around the corner."
Roughly, approximately.
/əˈraʊnd/
Approximately.
It's around 7 o'clock.
💡 Simply: About, nearly.
More Examples
There are around 200 people here.
How It's Used
"The cost was around $50."
Idioms & expressions
all around
Everywhere, in every direction.
"Flowers bloomed all around."
From Old English *on-ūtan, meaning "on the outside". It evolved through Middle English, gradually acquiring its current multifaceted meanings.
The word 'around' has a long history, its usage reflecting the evolving understanding of spatial relations and approximation.
Memory tip
Imagine a circle 'around' an object.