What does "around" mean?

1. (facing the other way) to turn so that you are facing the opposite direction. 2. (approximately) used to show that a number or time is not exact. 3. (nearby or present) to be in a place or available nearby. 4. (to various places) moving from one place to another without a specific goal. 5. (surrounding something) on all sides of something or in a circle. 6. (near a place) in the area near a specific place. 7. (still existing) still alive, active, or famous.

around

Q: Is it correct to say "He arrived at around of five o'clock"?

No — say "He arrived at around five o'clock". When used to mean 'approximately', the word is a preposition or adverb and does not take 'of'.

US //ɝˈaʊn// UK //ɐɹˈaʊnd// around

1 facing the other way (adv.)
A1 Beginner

to turn so that you are facing the opposite direction.

indicating a partial or complete rotation to face the opposite direction.

Example

He heard a loud noise behind him and turned around quickly.

Example

The captain ordered the vessel to turn around immediately upon realizing they had drifted into restricted territorial waters.
- back
- round
2 approximately (adv.)
A2 Elementary

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

functioning as a degree adverb to indicate an approximate value or time.

Example

The repair job should cost around fifty dollars.

Example

The archaeological team estimated that the ruins dated back to around the fourth century, though carbon dating was still pending.
- exactly
- precisely

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3 nearby or present (adv.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

to be in a place or available nearby.

indicating presence in the vicinity or general availability.

Example

Is there a manager around to help me with this problem?

Example

Although the technology has been around for decades, it has only recently become affordable for the average consumer.
- away
- absent
4 to various places (adv.)
A2 Elementary

moving from one place to another without a specific goal.

indicating movement or distribution to various points within an area.

Example

We spent the afternoon walking around the old part of the city.

Example

The tourists spent the morning wandering around the museum, occasionally stopping to admire the more prominent exhibits.
- about
- here and there
5 surrounding something (prep.)
A1 Beginner

on all sides of something or in a circle.

indicating a position that encircles or encompasses an object or area.

Example

The children sat in a circle around the campfire.

Example

The ancient stone wall runs around the entire perimeter of the estate, providing both privacy and a clear boundary.
- round
- encircling
6 near a place (prep.)
A1 Beginner

in the area near a specific place.

indicating proximity to a specific location or landmark.

Example

I think I left my umbrella somewhere around the office.

Example

There are several excellent restaurants located around the main square, though they tend to be quite expensive during the peak season.
- far from
7 still existing (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

still alive, active, or famous.

describing someone or something that remains active, influential, or in existence.

Example

That band has been around since the 1970s.

Example

Despite the rise of digital media, printed newspapers are still around, though their circulation numbers have dropped significantly.
- active
- extant
- gone
- defunct

Origin

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”)).

Usage

Often used to indicate movement with no specific destination or to describe a position surrounding an object.

Pitfall

He arrived at around of five o'clockHe arrived at around five o'clockWhen used to mean 'approximately', the word is a preposition or adverb and does not take 'of'.