around
gb/ɚˈaʊnd/ us/ɚˈaʊnd/
A2
English
~ 500
Senses
0 senses
adverb
A2
relation
1
approximately or roughly
Used to talk about something that is not exact but close to the real number, time, or place.
Usage pattern:
[verb] around [number/place/time]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'around' with 'across' when talking about location.
Synonyms
about (Interchangeable in most contexts when giving approximate numbers or times.)
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates a precise number or time, the opposite of approximate.)
Collocations
around 5 o'clock
|around the corner
|around 20 people
Themes
daily life
|measurement
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There were around 50 people at the party.
- The store is just around the corner.
- I’ll meet you around noon.
Learner examples
- There are around ten chairs in the room.
- The park is around here.
- We will meet around 3 p.m.
preposition
A2
relation
2
on all sides of
In a position surrounding someone or something.
Usage pattern:
around [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'in' instead of 'around' when talking about being on all sides of something.
Synonyms
surrounding (More formal and less conversational than 'around'.)
Antonyms
through (Indicates movement from one side to the other rather than encircling.)
Collocations
around the table
|around the fire
|around the city
Themes
spatial
|daily life
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We sat around the table for dinner.
- A fence runs around the garden.
- The children gathered around their teacher.
Learner examples
- We sit around the table.
- There is a wall around the house.
- People stand around the fire.
adverb
A2
relation
3
in different places nearby
In many places in an area.
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.)
Collocations
look around
|travel around
|spread around
Themes
spatial
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There are many cafes around.
- I looked around but couldn’t find my keys.
- He travels around visiting friends.
Learner examples
- There are shops around.
- I walk around in the park.
- We look around for a good place.
adverb
A2
action
4
in a circular direction or facing another way
To move your body or head to face another way.
Synonyms
about ('About' in 'turn about' is more formal or old-fashioned.)
Antonyms
forward (Indicates continuing in the same direction instead of turning.)
Collocations
turn around
|look around quickly
Themes
movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She turned around to see who called her name.
- He looked around when he heard the noise.
- I spun around quickly.
Learner examples
- I turn around to see you.
- He looks around when he hears a sound.
- She turns around to talk to me.
adverb
B1
state
5
present in existence or nearby
Here now or existing in this time.
Synonyms
present ('Present' is more formal and specific to attendance or existence.)
Antonyms
absent (Not present or available.)
Collocations
still around
|been around for years
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She’s been around for a long time in this industry.
- There aren’t many good bookstores around anymore.
- Is John around today?
Learner examples
- He is not around today.
- She has been around for many years.
- Are you around now?
Grammar
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.