WordLens

around

1 of 3adverb
/əˈraʊnd/
1

used to express an estimated number, time, or value

A2
  • The event starts around 7 p.m.
  • That costs around twenty dollars.
  • They arrived around midnight.
  • Around a hundred people showed up.
  • I waited around ten minutes.
2

in a way that encompasses or is present on multiple sides or throughout an area

  • The cabin had trees all around.
  • They could hear laughter echoing around.
  • Darkness settled around as the power went out.
  • Fireworks exploded brightly around.
  • A quiet buzz of conversation spread around.
Synonyms:
3

in the general vicinity of the speaker or subject

  • Is anyone still around?
  • There's a café around.
  • I think he's still somewhere around.
  • They hung around hoping to see her.
  • Are there any stores around?
4

present to offer comfort, help, or solidarity

  • She really needed people around during that hard time.
  • He's always been around when it matters.
  • Good friends stay around when things go wrong.
  • They rallied around after the loss.
  • It's important to have family around when you're sick.
Synonyms:
5

used to refer to movement in a circular direction

  • The dog chased its tail, running around in circles.
  • She spun around in surprise.
  • Leaves swirled around in the wind.
  • The carousel went around slowly.
  • The ceiling fan spun around lazily.
Synonyms:
6

toward random or various directions

  • One of them was glancing nervously around.
  • The dog ran around happily in the backyard.
  • He looked around but couldn't find his keys.
  • They walked around aimlessly, enjoying the sights of the city.
  • She rummaged around in her purse for the missing lipstick.
7

so that each person receives or handles something

  • She passed the photos around.
  • Can you hand the snacks around?
  • He shared the news around quickly.
  • The flu has been going around.
  • Rumors were spread around.
8

in a way that changes one's orientation to face the other way

  • He turned around to answer her.
  • The dog looked around when it heard a noise behind him.
  • I spun around after hearing my name.
  • She quickly turned around to leave.
  • Jack pulled the chair around to sit.
9

describing movement within or ability to find one's way through a space

  • It took me a while to find my way around.
  • Do you know your way around?
  • They're new here and still finding their way around.
  • I finally figured my way around.
  • It's easy to get around if you know the streets.
10

used to indicate casual or friendly visitation

  • Come around later for coffee.
  • I might swing around tomorrow.
  • He came around to return the book.
  • We stopped around after work.
  • Are you coming around tonight?
11

during the entire span of time

  • The area has tourists all year around.
  • The weather is warm here season around.
  • She wears sunglasses day around because of her sensitive eyes.
  • The store stays busy week around.
  • He works night around to finish the project.
Synonyms:
12

in many places or among many people, used to show repetition

  • I asked around about the teacher.
  • We've been shopping around for the best mortgage rates.
  • He asked around before deciding.
  • I've been shopping around for deals.
  • I've been asking around about good places to eat nearby.
13

used to describe acts or behaviors that lack a clear purpose or direction

  • They sat around doing nothing.
  • We loafed around all day.
  • Stop messing around and help!
  • He just lazed around on the couch.
  • I've been fooling around instead of studying.
Synonyms:
14

by a roundabout or indirect path, often to bypass an obstacle

  • We drove around to avoid the construction zone.
  • We couldn't go through the park, so we went around instead.
  • He didn't want to cut through the bushes and walked around.
  • The traffic was bad on Main Street, so she drove around.
  • They ran around to reach the finish line from the other side.
15

used to refer to the circumference or boundary distance of a circular object

  • The tree is five feet around.
  • That tire is 28 inches around.
  • Her waist measures 24 inches around.
  • The barrel is wide around the middle.
  • The rope is three inches thick around.