around
- adverb
- /əˈraʊnd/
- Inflation is pretty much back down to or around target in most countries.
- around 50 percent
- around 1 million
- around 20 billion
But that same dress has to be around the same SRP.
- But that same dress has to be around the same SRP.
- Inflation is pretty much back down to or around target in most countries.
- We started at around noon, but it was crazy.
- This would be somewhere around middle to late spring.
- I would get blight right around maybe now early August.
Examples
-
I'd probably say around nine years old.
-
First one was probably around six or seven.
-
It's probably going to be somewhere around those clouds, maybe higher.
-
The market for environmental goods and services, already estimated at around $4 billion, is growing rapidly.
Academic text (1999) -
Each chapter is around 5 minutes for a total of about 45 minutes of entertainment.
Academic text (2015) -
Over 94% reported having computers, and around 90% had Internet access at home.
Academic text (2008) -
Next, we consistently find around 10% of the students screened to be at risk for depression.
Academic text (2013) -
The Egyptian government has been floating bonds of around $250 million in the last year or so.
Academic text (1999) -
In Philadelphia and New York City, around 25% of misdemeanor defendants are detained pretrial.
Academic text (2017) -
The concert will start at around 7 PM, so make sure to arrive early.
Synonyms
Not exact but near a number, amount, or time
Almost right, but not exactly
You add it after a number to show the number is about that amount
Near the exact number or amount
About a number or amount that is not exact
About a number or idea, not exact but close enough
About an amount that may be a little more or less
About the right amount or number
About a number when you do not know the exact amount
People use it to say a number or time is close to but not exact
Antonyms
Idioms
The most important thing that makes life keep going, like money or love
- Informal
A constant problem or responsibility that is hard to get rid of
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
To avoid saying something directly by talking a long time before answering
- Archaic
To talk or act in a long, roundabout way to avoid the main point
- Informal
Behaving as if you are the most important person and others do not matter
- Informal
Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny
Compounds
- Specialized
Stopping an approach or attempt to try again, for example when a plane pulls up instead of landing
- Baby Talk
A children's game where players hold hands, walk in a circle, and fall down while singing
- NSFW
Money given during elections to get people to vote for a candidate or pay small local costs
- Baby Talk
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 Approximate
Surface Forms
Morphology
around = round (semi-transparent) = a + round
The numeric/approximate use is a metaphorical extension from spatial 'around' to 'approximately', so the relation is understandable but not strictly literal.
Etymology
Around comes from a- 'on' and round 'circle', and you can imagine numbers being made 'round' or rounded off. So around is used to mean 'about' or 'approximately'.