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around

around

424 1.0
During the whole time
  • adverb
  • /əˈraʊnd/
translation icon : a lo largo de
  • around this time
  • second time around

And the marks just stay around for so long.

Examples

  • I think I'll stick around here for a bit.

  • At this time, the firm was casting around for a new approach to building software.

    Academic text (2011)
  • There is plenty of blame to go around for this lack of preparation.

    Academic text (1999)
  • We can't wait around all day.

  • I could hear Linda walking around downstairs after Bernie had gone to bed.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • When Sunday morning rolled around, Caudell joined most of the regiment at divine services.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • The festival will take place around the same time every year, drawing many visitors.

  • During the summer, you can find flowers blooming around the garden all day.

  • My family loves to travel around the country during our vacations.

Synonyms

over
vsaround
1.0

During a period of time such as a week or year

restricts the sense to time rather than to places
throughout
vsaround
1.0

In every part of a place or during the whole time

limits this same idea to time periods only
round
vsaround
427 1.0

At all times during a stated period

has the same meaning but is not marked as adverb
all along
vsaround
403 1.5

During the whole time from the start

covers the whole period without stressing the starting point
all the while
vsaround
45 2.9

During the whole time that something is happening

expresses the same idea but in broader wording

Antonyms

1.0

At no time in the past or future, not ever

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

To make big positive changes in your life after hard times

9 9.1

Having sex with many different people without a steady partner

7 2.2

People sitting near a fire to talk and relax

There is enough for everyone to have some

6 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

To use your power to make others do what you want

To make someone do what you want by charming them

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

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

Having extra fat around the waist

around the bend
  • Offensive
1 9.3

To be very confused or act in a strange way

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

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

1 9.9

People in a community spread it as gossip

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

Compounds

14 1.0

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

Happening all day and night without stopping

go-around
  • Specialized
4 8.4

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

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

1 7.7

An indirect way to avoid a rule or problem

reach-around
  • Jargon
1 9.9

A secret unfair action to get help or advantage

1 6.0

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

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
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

How Continuous

all the time
1.0
around
424 1.0
during
1.0
at times
451 1.0

Surface Forms

around positive

Morphology

around = round (semi-transparent) = a + round

Formally the word is built from 'a-' + 'round'; the temporal/approximate extension derives from spatial 'around' via common grammatical extension.

Etymology

Around comes from a- 'on' and round 'circle', so think of time as a circle that goes all the way round. That's why around can mean 'throughout' or at every part of a period.