The difference between About and Around

When used as prepositions, about means in a circle around, whereas around means defining a circle or closed curve containing a thing.

When used as adverbs, about means on all sides, whereas around means generally.

When used as adjectives, about means moving around, whereas around means alive.

check bellow for the other definitions of About and Around

  1. About as a preposition:

    In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.

  2. About as a preposition:

    Near; not far from; approximately; regarding time, size, quantity.

  3. About as a preposition:

    On the point or verge of.

    Examples:

    "the show is about to start; I am not about to admit to your crime"

  4. About as a preposition:

    On one's person; nearby the person.

  5. About as a preposition:

    Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

  6. About as a preposition:

    Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.

  7. About as a preposition:

    Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.

    Examples:

    "He knew more about what was occurring than anyone."

  8. About as a preposition (figurative):

    In or near, as in mental faculties or in possession of; in control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.

    Examples:

    "He has his wits about him."

  9. About as a preposition:

    In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.

  1. About as an adverb:

    Not distant; approximate. On all sides; around. Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down. Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost. Near; in the vicinity.

    Examples:

    "'about as cold;  about as high"

  2. About as an adverb:

    In succession; one after another; in the course of events.

  3. About as an adverb:

    On the move; active; astir.

  4. About as an adverb (nautical):

    To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view. To the opposite tack.

    Examples:

    "to face about;  to turn oneself about'"

  5. About as an adverb (obsolete):

    Preparing; planning.

  6. About as an adverb (archaic):

    In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.

    Examples:

    "a mile about, and a third of a mile across"

  7. About as an adverb (chiefly, North America, colloquial):

    Going to; on the verge of; intending to.

  1. About as an adjective:

    Moving around; astir.

    Examples:

    "out and about;  up and about'"

    "After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again."

  2. About as an adjective:

    In existence; being in evidence; apparent

  1. Around as a preposition:

    Defining a circle or closed curve containing a thing.

    Examples:

    "I planted a row of lillies around the statue.  The jackals began to gather around [someone or something]."

  2. Around as a preposition:

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

    Examples:

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

  3. Around as a preposition:

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

    Examples:

    "The road took a brief detour around the large rock formation, then went straight on."

  4. Around as a preposition (of [[distance]], [[time]]):

    Near; in the vicinity of.

    Examples:

    "I left my keys somewhere around here.  I left the house around 10 this morning.  There isn't another house here for miles around.  I'll see you around [the neighbourhood, etc.]"

  5. Around as a preposition:

    At various places in.

    Examples:

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

  1. Around as an adjective (informal, with the verb "to [[be]]"):

    Alive; existing.

    Examples:

    "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."

  1. Around as an adverb:

    Generally.

  2. Around as an adverb:

    From place to place.

    Examples:

    "There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt."

    "She went around the office and got everyone to sign the card."

    "Look around and see what you find."

    "We moved the furniture around in the living room."

  3. Around as an adverb:

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

    Examples:

    "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."

    "The patient was unconscious but the doctor brought him around quickly. (see [[bring around]], [[come around]])"

    "I didn't think he would ever like the new design, but eventually we brought him around. (see [[bring around]], [[come around]])"

  4. Around as an adverb (with '''[[turn]]''', '''[[spin]]'''{{,):

    etc.}} Partially or completely rotated, including to face in the opposite direction.

    Examples:

    "Turn around at the end of this street."

    "She spun around a few times."

  5. Around as an adverb:

    Examples:

    "Stop kidding around. I'm serious."

    "I asked around, and no-one really liked it."

    "Shopping around can get you a better deal."

    "When are you going to stop whoring around, find a nice girl, and give us grandchildren?"

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