about
about
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "about" is /əˈbaʊt/.
First Syllable: /ə/ (a schwa sound, like the 'a' in 'sofa')
Second Syllable: /baʊt/ (like 'bowt' in 'bow tie')
Word Form Variations
"About" primarily functions as a preposition, adverb, or adjective. As such, it does not have typical singular, plural, or tense variations like nouns or verbs.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Preposition
Definition 1: In connection with or concerning; on the subject of.
Synonyms: concerning, regarding, relating to, on, as to, with respect to
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a relationship rather than an opposition)
Definition 2: In the vicinity of; near to.
Synonyms: near, close to, around, by
Antonyms: far from, distant from
Definition 3: On all sides of; surrounding.
Synonyms: around, encircling, surrounding
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a spatial relationship)
Definition 4: Used to indicate a quantity or amount that is approximate.
Synonyms: approximately, roughly, around, close to, nearly
Antonyms: exactly, precisely, accurately
Adverb
Definition 1: Approximately; almost; nearly.
Synonyms: roughly, around, more or less, nearly, close to
Antonyms: exactly, precisely, accurately
Definition 2: Here and there; in various directions.
Synonyms: around, hither and thither, in all directions, to and fro
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes movement/distribution)
Definition 3: (Informal) Used to indicate that something is soon to happen or be done.
Synonyms: imminent, forthcoming, impending, on the verge of
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms, as it describes a state of readiness)
Adjective
Definition 1: (Archaic or formal) Being in motion or active. (Often used with "up" or "out")
Synonyms: active, stirring, astir, moving
Antonyms: still, motionless, inactive
Examples of Use
Books:
"There was something about the way she looked at him that made his heart race." (From The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald) - Here, "about" means concerning or in connection with.
"He had written a whole chapter about the history of the ancient city." (General academic or historical text) - "About" indicates the subject matter.
Newspapers:
"The city council debated for hours about the new zoning regulations." (From a local newspaper article, e.g., The New York Times) - "About" means concerning or on the topic of.
"Police received a call about a suspicious package found near the train station." (From a news report, e.g., The Guardian) - "About" signifies in connection with or regarding.
Online Publications:
"Our latest article is all about the latest trends in artificial intelligence." (From a tech blog or news site, e.g., Wired.com) - "About" indicates the primary subject.
"Many users are concerned about their data privacy following the recent breach." (From a cybersecurity news site, e.g., TechCrunch) - "About" expresses concern regarding or on the subject of.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Movies/TV Shows: "What was that all about?" (Common dialogue in a mystery or dramatic film/show, e.g., Stranger Things) - "About" is used colloquially to ask for an explanation or the meaning/purpose of something.
Music (Song Lyrics): "It's not about the money, money, money." (From "Price Tag" by Jessie J) - "About" here clarifies the central theme or importance.
Podcasts: "Today on the podcast, we're talking about the future of remote work." (From a business or lifestyle podcast, e.g., The Daily) - "About" clearly states the topic of discussion.
Social Media: "Just finished a great book about self-improvement! Highly recommend." (Personal post on platforms like Twitter or Instagram) - "About" specifies the content of the book.
Video Games: "I'm about to level up!" (Dialogue or on-screen message in a role-playing game, e.g., World of Warcraft) - "About" functions as an adverb here, meaning on the verge of or nearly.
General Public Discourse:
"I'm about ready to leave." (Common spoken phrase) - "About" indicates approximately or nearly ready.
"We need to think about the long-term consequences of this decision." (Conversation in a meeting or personal discussion) - "About" means consider or reflect on.
"There were about twenty people at the party." (Casual conversation) - "About" is used as an adverb to denote an approximate number.
"He was walking about the neighborhood, enjoying the weather." (Describing someone's activity) - "About" indicates movement here and there or in the vicinity.
10 Famous Quotes Using About
"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." (Often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, though the precise wording varies)
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." (Mahatma Gandhi)
"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference." (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken")
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill)
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts." (William Shakespeare, As You Like It)
"It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known." (Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities)
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." (Martin Luther King Jr., "I Have a Dream" speech)
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." (Often attributed to John Lennon)
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." (Often attributed to Albert Einstein)
Etymology
The word "about" has a fascinating history that takes us back to Old English, which was spoken before the year 900.
Basically, "about" comes from two older words put together: "on" and "butan."
"On" is pretty straightforward; it meant "on" or "in."
"Butan" meant "outside" or "without." This "butan" itself was made up of "be" (meaning "by") and "utan" (meaning "out"). So, "butan" literally meant something like "by the outside."
When you put "on" and "butan" together, "about" originally meant something like "on the outside of" or "around the circumference of." Imagine something surrounding another thing – that's the core idea.
Over time, this initial meaning of "around" or "on the outside" expanded to include other related ideas:
Being in the vicinity of something: If you're "about the house," you're somewhere near it.
Concerning or on the subject of something: This is a very common use today, as in "a book about history." This meaning likely developed from the idea of "going around" or "dealing with" a particular topic.
Approximately: This sense, like "about five miles," also stems from the "around" idea, suggesting a general area or quantity rather than an exact one.
So, from a simple idea of being "on the outside" or "around," "about" grew to cover a wide range of meanings related to proximity, connection, and approximation.
Phrases + Idioms Containing About
About face: A sudden change of opinion or direction.
About time: Expressing that something should have happened sooner.
About to: On the verge of doing something.
All about: Primarily concerned with; the central focus of something.
What about...? Used to introduce a question concerning a related topic or an alternative suggestion.
How about...? Used to make a suggestion or offer.
Round about: Approximately; also, by a circuitous route.
To be about something: To be involved in or concerned with a particular activity or topic.
To go about one's business: To proceed with one's usual activities.
To turn about: To turn around.
Thereabouts: Approximately; near that place, time, or amount.
Knock about/around: To travel or spend time in different places without a clear plan; to treat roughly.
Bring about: To cause something to happen.
Come about: To happen; to occur.
Set about: To begin doing something.
Talk about it! (Exclamatory) Used to emphasize agreement or recognition of a significant point.
Make no bones about it: To be direct and open about something; to not hide one's true feelings.
About and about: Moving around; active.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of about from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
