Around: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to suggest a general location or time without being specific. Can also imply movement in a circular path.

• I'll be around the office all day
• The kids were running around the playground

Used when referring to an approximate amount, time, or subject. It's more formal compared to 'around'.

• The meeting will start at about 3 PM
• The book is about World War II

Used in more formal settings to indicate an estimated amount or number. Often used in scientific or technical contexts.

• The project will take approximately two months to complete
• There are approximately 100 people in the room

Used to give a rough estimate or approximation. It has a casual tone.

• He is roughly 6 feet tall
• The event had roughly 300 attendees

Refers to something that is close in physical distance.

• There is a café nearby
• We looked for a hotel nearby

Use 'around' when referencing movement or position in a circular direction, or when estimating an approximate time, number, or area.

• She looked around the room.
• The store is around the corner.
• The project will cost around $500.

Use 'surrounding' when describing things that are all around something else, giving the impression of closeness or enclosure.

• The surrounding buildings blocked the view.
• The company is popular in the surrounding area.

Use 'encircling' when describing something that completely surrounds another object or area, often in a physical sense, and typically more formal than 'around' or 'surrounding'.

• The mountains form a ring encircling the valley.
• The fence was encircling the property.

Use 'near' when talking about proximity or closeness in terms of distance, either physical or figurative.

• The school is near the park.
• She kept her phone near at hand.
• We are near the end of the project.

Use 'about' when discussing a topic, reason, or when giving an approximate figure. This word often introduces the subject matter.

• We talked about the new movie.
• He has about 20 books on the shelf.
• She was worried about her exam.

Used to indicate an approximate location, time or quantity.

• He lives around the corner.
• Let's meet around 3 PM.
• There were around 50 people at the party.

Refers to a specific length of time during which something happens or exists.

• The Renaissance was a period of great cultural change.
• She is going through a difficult period in her life.

Used to define the limit or duration of time within which something occurs or is planned to occur.

• We need to complete this project within the given timeframe.
• Can you give me a timeframe for your decision?

Used to indicate the area surrounding or near a particular place.

• There are several good restaurants in the vicinity.
• He was last seen in the vicinity of the market.

Used to describe a circular route or a closed loop, often in the context of exercise, electronics, or sports.

• He completed two circuits of the track.
• The electrical circuit was damaged by the storm.