What does "about" mean?

1. (concerning a topic) on the subject of someone or something. 2. (on one's person) carried with you or near you. 3. (approximately) used to show that a number or time is not exact. 4. (here and there) in various places or in no particular direction. 5. (active or nearby) out of bed and moving around; or simply present nearby.

How do you use "about"?

Commonly follows verbs of communication like 'talk', 'write', or 'think'. Often used with personal pronouns like 'me', 'him', or 'her'. Placed immediately before the number or measurement it modifies. Usually functions as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be'.

Is it correct to say "We discussed about the problem."?

No — say "We discussed the problem.". The verb 'discuss' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'about'.

about

US //əˈbaʊt// UK //ɐbˈaʊt// about

1 concerning a topic (prep.)
A1 Beginner

on the subject of someone or something.

concerning or relating to a particular subject, person, or event.

Example

We sat in the café and talked about our plans for the summer.

Example

The documentary raised several challenging questions about the long-term environmental impact of deep-sea mining operations.

Usage

Commonly follows verbs of communication like 'talk', 'write', or 'think'.
Pitfall

We discussed about the problem.

We discussed the problem.

The verb 'discuss' is transitive and does not take the preposition 'about'.
2 on one's person (prep.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English Formal

carried with you or near you.

carried on one's person or located in the immediate vicinity.

Example

I don't have any cash about me at the moment.

Example

The witness claimed the suspect had no identification about him when the police arrived at the scene.

Usage

Often used with personal pronouns like 'me', 'him', or 'her'.
- on
- with

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3 approximately (adv.)
A1 Beginner

used to show that a number or time is not exact.

indicating an approximate amount, degree, or time; nearly.

Example

The journey to the airport takes about forty minutes by train.

Example

The restoration project is expected to cost about five million dollars, though the final figure depends on material availability.

Usage

Placed immediately before the number or measurement it modifies.
- exactly
- precisely
4 here and there (adv.)
B1 Intermediate British English

in various places or in no particular direction.

in or to various places; scattered in different directions within an area.

Example

They spent the afternoon wandering about the old town.

Example

Papers were strewn about the office, suggesting that the staff had left in a significant hurry.

Teacher's tip

In American English, 'around' is much more common for this spatial sense.
- around
- here and there
5 active or nearby (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate British English Informal

out of bed and moving around; or simply present nearby.

in motion or out of bed; present in the vicinity.

Example

Is the manager about? I need to ask her a quick question.

Example

Despite the early hour, there were already several fishermen about on the pier preparing their nets.

Usage

Usually functions as a predicative adjective after the verb 'to be'.
- absent

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *ana- Proto-West Germanic *ana- Old English on-? Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bi Proto-West Germanic *bī Proto-West Germanic *bi- Proto-Indo-European *úd Proto-Germanic *ūt Proto-West Germanic *ūtō Proto-West Germanic *ūtan Proto-West Germanic *biūtan Old English būtan Old English onbūtan Middle English aboute English about Preposition and adverb from Middle English aboute, abouten, from Old English abūtan, onbūtan, from on (“in, on”) + būtan (“outside of”), itself from be (“by”) + ūtan (“outside”). Cognate with Old Frisian abûta (“outside; except”). Adjective from Middle English about (adverb).