aroundprep/əˈɹaʊnd/

• 1

  Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).

  • She wore a gold chain around her neck.
  • I planted a row of lilies around the statue.
• 2

  Centred upon; surrounding; regarding.

  • We could use some clarification around the new rules.
  • There has been a lot of controversy around the handling of personal information.
• 3

  Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.

  • We walked around the football field.
  • She went around the track fifty times.
• 4

  Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve.

  • The road took a brief detour around the large rock formation, then went straight on.
  • I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. It twisted and turned, and, the first thing I knew, made a sudden bend around a bunch of bayberry scrub and opened out into a big clear space like a lawn.
• 5

  Near; in the vicinity of; approximately.

  • I left my keys somewhere around here.
  • I left the house around 10 this morning.
• 6

  At or to various places within or throughout.

  • The pages from the notebook were scattered around the room.
  • Those teenagers like to hang around the mall.
• 7

  So as to avoid something.

  • Our product designs around the existing patents to avoid infringing them.

aroundadj/əˈɹaʊnd/

• 1

  informalPresent in the vicinity.

  • Is Clare around today?
• 2

  informalAlive; existing.

  • The record store on Main Street? Yes, it's still around.
  • "How is old Bob? I heard that his health is failing." "Oh, he's still around. He's feeling better now."

aroundadv/əˈɹaʊnd/

• 1

  So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.

  • High above, vultures circled around.
• 2

  So as to surround or be near.

  • Everybody please gather around.
  • There isn't another house for miles around.
• 3

  Nearly; approximately; about.

  • Around a thousand people attended.
  • An adult elephant weighs around five tons.
• 4

  From place to place.

  • There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt.
  • Look around and see what you find.
• 5

  From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.

  • The team wasn't doing well, but the new coach really turned things around.
  • He used to stay up late but his new girlfriend changed that around.
• 6

  So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.

  • Turn around at the end of this street.
  • She spun around a few times.
• 7

  Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people.

  • I asked around, and no-one really liked it.
  • Shopping around can get you a better deal.
• 8

  Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity.

  • sit around, mess around, loaf around