TalkCo
How to pronounce about
Say it like this: /əˈbaʊ̯t/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.
What does about mean?
prepIn a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around.
“The snake was coiled about his ankle.”
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
“He was well known about town.”
See about to.
advOn all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around.
“I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.”
Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
“Bits of old machinery were lying about.”
From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
“walking about; rushing about; jumping about; thrashing about”
adjMoving around or in motion; astir.
“About, my Braine!”
In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
“This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.”
Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
“Watch out, there's a thief about.”
verbTo change the course of (a ship) to the other tack; to bring (a ship) about.
“... and we were abouting ship every watch or so.”
To about-face (turn 180 degrees, like a soldier).
“For quotations using this term, see Citations:about.”
Practise saying about out loud with your AI English tutor, or look up any other word.
Look up more wordsOther words to practise
Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.