around
/əˈɹaʊnd/
Meaning
Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).
Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity.
Alive; existing.
Near; in the vicinity of.
From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.
Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).
Centred upon; surrounding; regarding.
Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve.
So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.
So as to surround or be near.
From place to place.
So as to avoid something.
Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people.
Present in the vicinity.
So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.
Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.
At or to various places within or throughout.
Nearly; approximately; about.
Alive; existing.
Near; in the vicinity of.
From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement.
Forming a circle or closed curve containing (something).
Centred upon; surrounding; regarding.
Following a path which curves near an object, with the object on the inside of the curve.
So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof.
So as to surround or be near.
From place to place.
So as to avoid something.
Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people.
Present in the vicinity.
So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction.
Following the perimeter of a specified area and returning to the starting point.
At or to various places within or throughout.
Nearly; approximately; about.
Examples
She wore a gold chain around her neck.
I planted a row of lilies around the statue.
The jackals began to gather around the carcass.
Ancient nomads, wishing to ward off the evening chill and enjoy a meal around a campfire, had to collect wood and then spend time and effort coaxing the heat of friction out from between sticks to kindle a flame. With more settled people, animals were harnessed to capstans or caged in treadmills to turn grist into meal.
We could use some clarification around the new rules.
Word Forms
round
arownd
ron
'round
Etymology
From Middle English around, arounde, from a- (from Old English a- (“on, at”)) + Middle English round (“circle, round”) borrowed from French, equivalent to a- + round. Cognate with Scots aroond, aroon (“around”). Displaced earlier Middle English umbe, embe (“around”) (from Old English ymbe (“around”)).