Translate around | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish Definition of around
adverb
1 (British also round) located or situated on every side:the mountains towering all around a building visible for miles around so as to surround someone or something:everyone crowded around a pool with banks all the way around so as to give support and companionship:if one girl is distraught, the others will rally around with circular motion:the boats were spun around by waterspouts so as to cover or take in the whole area surrounding a particular center:she paused to glance around admiringly at the decor so as to reach everyone in a particular group or area:he passed a newspaper clipping around
2 (British alsoround) so as to rotate and face in the opposite direction:Jack seized her by the shoulders and turned her around figurativehaving him in my corner has turned my career around so as to lead in another direction:it was the last house before the road curved around used in describing the position of something, typically with regard to the direction in which it is facing or its relation to other items:the picture shows the pieces the wrong way around used to describe a situation in terms of the relation between people, actions, or events:it was he who was attacking her, not the other way around
3 (British alsoround) so as to reach a new place or position, typically by moving from one side of something to the other:he made his way around to the back of the building they went the long way around by the main road in or to many places throughout a locality:his only ambition is to drive around in a sports car word got around that he was on the verge of retirement used to convey an ability to navigate or orient oneself:I like pupils to find their own way around informal used to convey the idea of visiting someone else:why don’t you come around to my office? randomly or unsystematically; here and there:John tried to focus on her but she kept moving around one of them was glancing nervously around
4 (British alsoround) in existence, in the vicinity, or in active use:there was no one around by being around I threaten her happiness barley has been around for a long time near at hand:he would want to have her around as much as possible
5approximately; about:software costs would be around $1,500 [as preposition]:I returned to my hotel around 3 a.m.
preposition
(British alsoround) 1on every side of:the palazzo is built around a courtyard the hills around the city (of something abstract) having (the thing mentioned) as a focal point:our entire culture is built around those loyalties you can organize your essay around an existing critical controversy
2in or to many places throughout (a community or locality):cycling around the village a number of large depots around the country on the other side of (a corner or obstacle):Steven parked the car around the corner so as to hit (something) in passing:if he didn’t shut up, he might get a slap around the ear
3so as to encircle or embrace (someone or something):he put his arm around her warming her hands around a cup of coffee the polar vortex around Antarctica (of a person’s arm or arms) partially encircling (another person) as part of a gesture of affection:Mike put an arm around Mary and kissed her following an approximately circular route:he walked around the airfield it can drill around corners the contour followed around a curve to the north so as to cover or take in the whole area of (a place):she went around the house and saw that all the windows were barred
