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Glite Dictionary
to be around

to be around

775 1.3
Exist or stay in a place for a time and be available if needed
  • phrasal verb
  • /bi əˈraʊnd/
translation icon : estar disponible
  • "Well, I've seen a lot of life, I've been around, and I know when things hurt.
  • been around long
  • been around for decades
  • be around people

So this one has been around for quite a while.

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Examples

  • I'm going to be around you a lot.

    Kindergarten Cop (1990)

  • Maybe if I'd been around more when he was growing up, things would've been different.

    Absolution (2024)

  • It's it's nice to be around family right now.

  • All I wanted to do was be around her and feel that.

  • Or you can take a chance and be around other bigger fish.

  • So you gonna be around later or not?

    Blood Hook (1987)

  • Indeed, it was difficult for me to be around the two of them.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • I don't like being around people most of the time.

  • Miss Sarah, I'm always happy when you're around.

    Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor (2013)

  • It's comforting to know that family will always be around during tough times.

Synonyms

to be there for
vsto be around
  • Informal
443 2.7

To help and support someone when they are going through a hard time

is present generally or available without focusing only on support
to hang around
vsto be around
  • Informal
407 2.0

To stay in a place without doing anything important

is about being present or available rather than purposeless lingering
to stick around
vsto be around
  • Informal
332 2.9

Stay in a place to wait for something

is present or available but does not imply waiting
to stick about
vsto be around
  • UK
4.1

Stay nearby or wait in a place for a short time

is available or present without implying short duration

Antonyms

to absent
9 6.8

To stay away on purpose from a place or event when you should be there

away
5 1.0

Not in a place because someone has gone somewhere else

How Available

on hand
81 2.1
available
427 2.3
to be around
775 1.3
presence
951 2.1
nearby
325 1.0

Surface Forms

be around infinitive
was around past
been around past participle
being around present participle
is around third person singular

Morphology

be + around

The meaning 'to be present or available' is directly derivable from combining 'be' (to exist) with 'around' (in the immediate area). This simple verb + locative/adverb pattern is common in English and other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Be around comes from the simple image of someone staying near or moving around a place, so they are close and easy to find. That's why it means 'to be present' or 'available to help'.