around
What is the opposite of around? Here is what we hold, with its meaning and related words.
Prep — Positioned so as to surround or encircle something.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. prep
Positioned so as to surround or encircle something.
“The children gathered around the campfire to hear the story.”
round
surrounding
encircling
about
enclosing
some
approximately
roughly
or so
close to
just about
more or less
2. adv
From place to place, without a fixed destination; or, present nearby.
“She spent the afternoon just wandering around town.”
How to use around
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
around the corner
around town
around six o'clock
stick around
Etymology
From Middle English around, formed from a- ("on, at") plus round.
Full origin of around →Frequently asked questions
What does “around” mean?
The word “around” means positioned so as to surround or encircle something. In plain terms, surrounding something, roughly (a time/amount), or moving/existing without a fixed point — depends heavily on context.
How do you pronounce “around”?
“Around” is pronounced uh-ROWND (/əˈɹaʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “around” in a sentence?
Here is “around” used in a sentence: “The children gathered around the campfire to hear the story.”
What part of speech is “around”?
Depending on how it is used, “around” can be a preposition and an adverb.
Where does the word “around” come from?
The word “around” comes from Middle English. From Middle English around, formed from a- ("on, at") plus round.
Is “around” a common word?
“Around” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “around” have?
“Around” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: positioned so as to surround or encircle something.
What is the difference between 'around' and 'round'?
In American English, 'around' is standard for both movement and position — walking around the block or sitting around a table. British English often shortens this to 'round' in the same situations, keeping 'around' more for approximate amounts and vaguer locations. The meanings overlap almost completely, so the choice is largely one of regional habit.
What is an example of 'around' meaning to surround?
In the sentence 'the children gathered around the campfire,' the word shows them positioned on all sides of it, forming a rough circle. Likewise, 'a fence runs around the garden' means it encircles the space. In this sense, 'around' describes something enclosing or ringing a central point.
Is 'around' a preposition or an adverb?
It can be both. As a preposition it takes an object — 'she wrapped a scarf around her neck.' As an adverb it stands alone — 'he turned around.' The surrounding or encircling meaning appears in both roles, so the same word simply shifts function depending on the sentence.
