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around

around

∞ 1.0
Moving in a circle to surround something
  • adverb
  • /əˈraʊnd/
: alrededor de
  • We walked around the pond to enjoy the beautiful scenery.
  • all around
  • around in a circle
  • roll around

Examples

  • But this you can like put around your neck, right?

  • Round and around and around and around we go.

  • So yes, go all the way around looking good.

  • So inside the car, driving around, it sounds great.

  • I want him to take a look around.

  • The door was locked, so they walked around to the backyard and looked in the window.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • We ate at the park cafe, and then we drove around some more and went home.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Ya'll go around the side of the house and come on around back.

  • Thomas Fenster immediately woke and looked up and around, out the window, and then at me.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • Go to AFM, walk around, get your mind blown.

Synonyms

to surround
vsaround
637 1.7

To be all around a person or thing on every side

is a general spatial term rather than this protective or hostile action
to go around
vsaround
298 2.0

Move in a circle around a point, like a planet around the Sun

is the broader basic term meaning on all sides or in a circuit
to circle
vsaround
217 1.8

To move around something in a circle

is more general, meaning surrounding or moving in any circuit
to circle around
vsaround
66 2.3

Move in a round path around someone or something

is the general idea of being on all sides or moving in a circuit
to encircle
vsaround
27 3.4

To form a circle around a person or thing

is the wider term for being on all sides or moving in a circuit
to walk around
vsaround
23 1.1

To go on foot around the edge of something instead of through it

covers any mode of surrounding or moving in a circuit, not only on foot
to revolve
vsaround
23 3.2

To make something move in a circle around a central point

describes general surrounding or circuit motion without implying caused rotation
to sail around
vsaround
14 3.2

Travel by boat around a place like a coast or lake

is the general spatial term not limited to travel by water
to skirt
vsaround
14 4.4

To move along the edge of something

is broader, meaning to be on all sides or move in a full circuit
12 3.6

Move in a circle around a central object, like planets around the Sun

is a general word for surrounding or moving in a circuit
to whirl around
vsaround
11 3.7

To move quickly in a circle, often through the air

is a calmer, general term for being on all sides or moving in a circuit
to round
vsaround
5 3.0

Move around something following a curved path

focuses more generally on being on all sides or moving about
to circle round
vsaround
1 3.5

Move around something or someone in a circle

is broader, meaning to be on every side or move in a circuit
to move around
vsaround
1 1.3

To go around something to get to the other side

emphasizes general surrounding or circular motion rather than side movement

Idioms

In many different countries on all continents

Very near in place or happening soon

In the opposite order, direction, or situation

Happens all day and all night without stopping

There is enough for everyone to have some

The most important thing that makes life keep going, like money or love

11 2.2

People sitting near a fire to talk and relax

9 8.1

A person who has a lot of experience from many situations

6 4.6

To be much better than someone at doing something

around the bend
  • Offensive
1 9.3

To be very confused or act in a strange way

To sail around Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America, often in dangerous weather

1 9.1

Having sex with many different people without a steady partner

To take part in a traditional May Day dance in a circle around a tall decorated pole

Having extra fat around the waist

1 9.9

People in a community spread it as gossip

To make big positive changes in your life after hard times

To use your power to make others do what you want

A constant problem or responsibility that is hard to get rid of

To take a long, unnecessary route to reach a place or answer

To avoid saying something directly by talking a long time before answering

To talk or act in a long, roundabout way to avoid the main point

Behaving as if you are the most important person and others do not matter

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

To make someone do what you want by charming them

Compounds

Happening all day and night without stopping

22 1.0

A short time spent moving on foot in a place without a clear destination

go-around
  • Specialized
20 8.4

Stopping an approach or attempt to try again, for example when a plane pulls up instead of landing

7 7.7

An indirect way to avoid a rule or problem

2 6.0

A children's game where players hold hands, walk in a circle, and fall down while singing

A man who is kind, helpful, and liked by others

reach-around
  • Jargon
2 9.9

A secret unfair action to get help or advantage

1 9.9

Money given during elections to get people to vote for a candidate or pay small local costs

ring-around-a-rosy
  • Baby Talk
1 8.0

A children's game where players hold hands in a circle, sing, and fall down

Negative ideas that lead people to treat those with mental health problems unfairly

Surface Forms

around positive

Morphology

around = round (transparent) = a + round

This sense is essentially the same spatial meaning as 'round', with 'a-' forming the established adverbial variant 'around'.

Etymology

Around comes from a- 'on' + round 'circle', so it literally meant 'on the circle'. That's why around often means moving in a circle or going all the way around something.