1. reasonably close to
about a year ago
2. almost
about starved just about finished
3. on the verge of —usually used with be and a following infinitive
is about to join the army —used with a negative to express intention or determination
not about to quit
4. on all sides around
looked about for a place to park
5. in rotation
They go about in circles.
6. around the outside
7. in many different directions here and there
walked about for hours
8. in the vicinity near
He spoke to the people standing about.
9. in the opposite direction
face about the other way about
10. in a circle around on every side of around
People gathered about him.
11. in the immediate neighborhood of near
Fish are abundant about the reefs.
12. on or near the person of
had a pleasing fragrance about her
13. in the makeup of
a mature wisdom about him
14. at the command of
has his wits about him
15. engaged in
… act as if they know what they're about …
— T. S. Matthews
16. with regard to concerning
spoke about his past
17. concerned with
18. fundamentally concerned with or directed toward
… poker is about money.
— David Mamet
19. over or in different parts of
He traveled about the country.
20. moving from place to place specifically being out of bed
is up and about by 7 a.m.
21. around sense 2
There is a scarcity of jobs about.
22. almost, nearly
about an hour ago
23. on all sides around
Bees were swarming about.
24. in the opposite direction
The ship came about.
25. on the verge of
I was about to call you.
26. having to do with
The story is about dogs.
27. on every side of around
There are trees about the house.
28. over or in different parts of
He traveled about the country.
29. near or not far from in time
about the middle of the month