1
a
: in a circle or in circumference
The wheel goes around.
a tree five feet around
b
: in, along, or through a circuit
The road goes around by the lake.
2
a
: on all or various sides : in every or any direction
papers lying around
There was nothing for miles around.
b
: in close from all sides so as to surround
People crowded around.
c
: in or near one's present place or situation
We had to wait around awhile.
3
a
: here and there : from one place to another
She travels around on business.
b
: to a particular place
You should come around for dinner.
c
—used with some verbs to indicate repeated or continued action
He's always joking around when he should be serious.
Don't play around with your food.
4
a
: in rotation or succession
Another winter has come around.
b
: from beginning to end : through
The weather is mild the year around.
c
: in order
the other way around
5
: in or to an opposite direction or position
turn around
6
: with some approach to exactness : approximately
It costs around $5.
1
a
: on all sides of
a yard with a fence around it
b
: so as to encircle or enclose
seated around the table
c
: so as to avoid or get past : on or to another side of
trying to find a way around their objections
We went around the lake.
around the corner
d
: near
lives around Chicago
around the turn of the century
2
: in all directions outward from
Look around you.
3
: here and there in or throughout
They went barnstorming around the country.
4
: so as to have a center or basis in
a society organized around kinship ties
1
: about sense 1
He has been up and around for two days.
2
: being in existence, evidence, or circulation
… the most intelligent of the artists around today.—
R. M. Coates
R. M. CoatesExamples of around in a Sentence
Adverb
Don't take the long way around: I know a shortcut.
He entered the room and looked around.
This is a very interesting town: let me show you around.
I'm not sure where it is, but it must be around somewhere.
It's safer when there are other people around.
I'd like to speak to him if he's around.
Preposition
The people were seated around the table.
A crowd gathered around him.
He tied the rope around his waist.
We went all around the lake enjoying the different views.
They sailed around the world.
He's a well-known figure around the town.
We drove all around the town looking for him.
This is a very interesting town: let me show you around it.
We took a tour around New England.
You can find lots of good restaurants around here.
Adjective
she's generally regarded as one of the most talented singers around
Recent Examples on the Web
David Brennan, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
Also present at the show was longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who stepped down from her role at the magazine in June after around 37 years.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Everyone is gathered around to hear the evidence that will tell us there wasn’t a ghost at all, nor a demon haunting these proceedings.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Knocking down webs on your porch and around entries will encourage spiders to move on to somewhere else.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for around
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
The city -- home to more than 710,000 people before Russia's full-scale invasion -- is now only around 16 miles from the front line and subject to continuous Russian attacks.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 28 Sep. 2025
Also present at the show was longtime Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour, who stepped down from her role at the magazine in June after around 37 years.
—Anthony Robledo, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025
Preposition
But the relief is short-lived, as the structures around Shibuya Crossing begin to implode.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Everyone is gathered around to hear the evidence that will tell us there wasn’t a ghost at all, nor a demon haunting these proceedings.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
This constant barking can make dog owners feel frustrated and guilty, especially when neighbors are around to hear it.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
Knocking down webs on your porch and around entries will encourage spiders to move on to somewhere else.
—Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for around
Cite this Entry
“Around.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/around. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
around
1 of 2 adverb1
: in circumference
a tree five feet around
2
: in or along a curving path
3
: on all sides
papers lying around
4
: nearby
stick around a while
5
: here and there in various places
travel around
6
: to each in turn
pass the fruit around
7
: from beginning to end
mild the year around
8
: in or to an opposite direction or position
turn around
9
: close to : approximately
costs around $20
around
2 of 2 preposition1
a
: on all sides of
were fields around the village
b
: so as to encircle or enclose
people seated around the table
c
: on or to another side of
voyage around Cape Horn
d
: near to
lives around Chicago
2
: here and there in or throughout
travel around the country
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