around
gb/ɚˈaʊnd/ us/ɚˈaʊnd/
A2
English
~ 500
körülbelül, körül, nagyjából, itt-ott, ide-oda, mindenfelé, megfordul, hátrafordul, körülnéz, a közelben, itt van, jelen van
A2
1
Usage pattern:
[verb] around [number/place/time]
There were around 50 people at the party.
A bulin körülbelül ötvenen voltak.
The store is just around the corner.
Az üzlet mindjárt a sarkon túl van.
I’ll meet you around noon.
Learner examples
There are around ten chairs in the room.
Körülbelül tíz szék van a szobában.
The park is around here.
A park itt van valahol a közelben.
We will meet around 3 p.m.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'around' with 'across' when talking about location.
Meaning
approximately or roughly
Collocations
around 5 o'clock
|around the corner
|around 20 people
Synonyms
about (Interchangeable in most contexts when giving approximate numbers or times.)
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates a precise number or time, the opposite of approximate.)
Themes
daily life
|measurement
|time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to talk about something that is not exact but close to the real number, time, or place.
Used to indicate an approximate location, amount, time, or number.
A2
2
körül
A2
Usage pattern:
around [someone/something]
We sat around the table for dinner.
Vacsorához az asztal körül ültünk.
A fence runs around the garden.
Kerítés húzódik a kert körül.
The children gathered around their teacher.
Learner examples
We sit around the table.
Az asztal körül ülünk.
There is a wall around the house.
Fal van a ház körül.
People stand around the fire.
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'in' instead of 'around' when talking about being on all sides of something.
Meaning
on all sides of
Collocations
around the table
|around the fire
|around the city
Synonyms
surrounding (More formal and less conversational than 'around'.)
Antonyms
through (Indicates movement from one side to the other rather than encircling.)
Themes
spatial
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In a position surrounding someone or something.
Located on every side of something or someone.
A2
3
There are many cafes around.
Mindenfelé vannak kávézók.
I looked around but couldn’t find my keys.
Körülnéztem, de nem találtam a kulcsaimat.
He travels around visiting friends.
Learner examples
There are shops around.
Mindenfelé vannak boltok.
I walk around in the park.
Ide-oda sétálok a parkban.
We look around for a good place.
Meaning
in different places nearby
Collocations
look around
|travel around
|spread around
Synonyms
about ('About' can sometimes replace 'around' in this sense, but 'around' is more common for physical movement in an area.)
Antonyms
together (Indicates being in one place rather than spread out.)
Themes
spatial
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In many places in an area.
In multiple locations within a certain area; here and there.
A2
4
She turned around to see who called her name.
Megfordult, hogy lássa, ki szólította a nevén.
He looked around when he heard the noise.
Körülnézett, amikor meghallotta a zajt.
I spun around quickly.
Learner examples
I turn around to see you.
Megfordulok, hogy lássalak.
He looks around when he hears a sound.
Körülnéz, amikor meghall egy hangot.
She turns around to talk to me.
Meaning
in a circular direction or facing another way
Collocations
turn around
|look around quickly
Synonyms
about ('About' in 'turn about' is more formal or old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
forward (Indicates continuing in the same direction instead of turning.)
Themes
movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To move your body or head to face another way.
To turn so as to face another direction or side.
B1
5
She’s been around for a long time in this industry.
Már régóta jelen van ebben az iparágban.
There aren’t many good bookstores around anymore.
Már nincs sok jó könyvesbolt a környéken.
Is John around today?
Learner examples
He is not around today.
Ma nincs itt.
She has been around for many years.
Már sok éve jelen van.
Are you around now?
Meaning
present in existence or nearby
Collocations
still around
|been around for years
Synonyms
present ('Present' is more formal and specific to attendance or existence.)
Antonyms
absent (Not present or available.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Here now or existing in this time.
Existing, available, or present within an area or time period.
Grammar
Dictionary form
around
IPA
GB/ɚˈaʊnd/
US/ɚˈaʊnd/
Syllables & stress
around (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (around)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: around
- Plural: arounds
Word family
Expressions
come around
1/kˈʌm ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
change opinion, recover, or visit casually
To change your mind, wake up after being unconscious, or visit someone’s place.
Examples
- He’ll come around once he hears the full story.
- She came around after fainting.
- Why don’t you come around later?
get around to [something]
1/ɡˈɛt ɚˈaʊnd tə sˈʌmθɪŋ/
phrasal verb
finally do something after delay
To finally do something you have been meaning to do for a while.
Examples
- I still haven’t gotten around to fixing the car.
- She finally got around to replying to my email.
around the corner
1/ɚˈaʊnd ðə kˈɔɹnɚ/
idiom
Very close in space or time
Very close to happening or very close to you in distance.
Examples
- My house is just around the corner.
- With summer around the corner, it's time to plan vacations.
around the corner
2/ɚˈaʊnd ðə kˈɔɹnɚ/
idiom
very near or soon to happen
Very close in space or time.
Examples
- The bank is just around the corner.
- With summer around the corner, people are planning vacations.
fool around
1/fˈul ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
informal
behave in a playful, unserious way
To act in a silly or playful way and not do serious work or tasks.
Examples
- The kids were fooling around instead of studying.
- Stop fooling around and help me clean the kitchen.
- They fooled around for a few months before breaking up.
- They spent the afternoon fooling around in the park instead of studying.
mess around
1/mˈɛs ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
informal
behave in a silly or idle way
To play and act silly and not do your real work or task.
Examples
- Stop messing around and start working!
- Stop messing around and help me clean.
- They spent the afternoon just messing around in the park.
- We just messed around in the park all afternoon instead of studying.