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| Language: | Old English |
| Origin: | abutan, from a- 'on' + butan 'outside' |
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about2 S1 W1
1 also round about spoken a little more or less than a particular number, amount, or size [= roughly]: 
I live about 10 miles away.a tiny computer about as big as a postcard We left the restaurant at round about 10.30.
I live about 10 miles away.a tiny computer about as big as a postcardWe left the restaurant at round about 10.30.2 British English in many different directions within a place or in different parts of a place [= around]: People were rushing about, trying to find the driver. Cushions were scattered about on the chairs.
People were rushing about, trying to find the driver.Cushions were scattered about on the chairs.3 near to you or in the same place as you : Is Derrick about? There's a phone call for him. Quick! Let's go while there's no-one about.
Is Derrick about? There's a phone call for him.Quick! Let's go while there's no-one about.4 British English spoken existing or available now : She might get temporary work, but there's not much about.
She might get temporary work, but there's not much about.5 informal almost or probably : I was about ready to leave when somebody rang the doorbell.
I was about ready to leave when somebody rang the doorbell.6
that's about it/all
spokena) used to tell someone that you have told them everything you know : He was a quiet chap, married with kids. That's about it, really.
He was a quiet chap, married with kids. That's about it, really.b) used to say that there is nothing else available : There's some cheese in the fridge and that's about it.
There's some cheese in the fridge and that's about it.7 so as to face in the opposite direction : He quickly turned about and walked away.
He quickly turned about and walked away.