about

 Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++a·bout1 /əˈbaʊt/ ●●● S1 W1 preposition  1  ABOUTconcerning or relating to a particular subject 关于 a book about politics 一本有关政治的书 She said something about leaving town. 她说了些要离开镇子的话。 He lied about his age. 他谎报年龄。 About that car of yours. How much are you selling it for? 说到你的那辆车，你打算卖什么价钱？ What’s he on about (=talking about)? 他在说什么呀？ It’s about Tommy, doctor. He’s been sick again. 医生，是汤米，他又病了。 Naturally, my mother wanted to know all about it (=all the details relating to it). 很自然，我母亲想知道事情的全部。2  used to show why someone is angry, happy, upset etc 因为〔用以表明生气、开心、烦恼等的原因〕 I’m really worried about Jack. 我很担心杰克。 She’s upset about missing the party. 她因为错过聚会而不开心。3  ABOUTin many different directions within a particular place, or in different parts of a place 到处 SYN around, round We spent the whole afternoon walking about town. 我们整个下午都在城里四处走。 Books were scattered about the room. 房间里到处摊着书。4  ABOUTin the nature or character of a person or thing 在…（身）上〔指特点或性格〕 There’s something really strange about Liza. 莉莎真有点怪。 What I like about the job is that it’s never boring. 这份工作我喜欢的是它从不枯燥。5  what/how about somebody/something spoken a) ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO somethingused to ask a question that directs attention to another person or thing 某人/某事物怎么样[怎么办]〔用以将注意力转向另一人或另一物〕 What about Jack? We can’t just leave him here. 杰克怎么办？ 我们不能把他丢在这里不管。 I’m feeling hungry. How about you? 我饿了，你呢？ b) SUGGESTused to make a suggestion 某人/某事物怎么样[好吗]〔用以提建议〕 How about a salad for lunch? 午饭吃沙拉怎么样？6  do something about something STOP something THAT IS HAPPENINGto do something to solve a problem or stop a bad situation 想办法解决某个问题，处理某坏情况 If we don’t do something about it, the problem is going to get worse. 如果我们不想办法解决，问题会变得更糟。 What can be done about the rising levels of pollution? 污染越来越严重，可以采取什么办法呢？7  PURPOSEif an organization, a job, an activity etc is about something, that is its basic purpose 目的是；旨在 Leadership is all about getting your team to co-operate. 当领导的职责就是让你的团队同心合力。8  it’s all about somebody/something used to say who or what is important in a situation 重要的（问题）是某人/某事物 It’s all about money, and who’s got the most. 就是钱的问题，是谁拿到最多的问题。9  while you’re about it spoken used to tell someone to do something while they are doing something else because it would be easier to do both things at the same time 顺便 Go and see what’s the matter, and while you’re about it you can fetch me my sweater. 去看看怎么回事，顺便把我的毛衣拿来。10. what was all that about? spoken used to ask the reason for something that has just happened, especially someone’s angry behaviour 这究竟怎么回事？11  literaryAL surrounding a person or thing 围绕〔某人或某事物〕 Jo sensed fear and jealousy all about her. 乔感觉她周围充满恐惧和嫉妒。 → be quick about it at quick1(5), → go about your business at business(12) THESAURUSabout used when saying what the subject of something is 关于She’s always talking about you. 她总是谈论你。In her novels she writes about life in South Africa. 她的小说描写南非生活。There’s something I wanted to ask you about. 有件事我想问问你。on about a particular subject 关于〔某一主题〕a book on English grammar 一本关于英语语法的书a report on poverty in rural areas 一份关于农村贫困状况的报告concerning/regarding formal about 关于Prince Saiid answered questions concerning Kuwait’s future. 赛义德亲王回答了关于科威特前途的问题。The report raises a number of questions regarding food safety. 这份报告提出了一些有关食品安全的问题。with regard to formal about – used especially when you want to start talking or writing about something 关于〔尤用于引出话题〕Dear Sir, I’m writing with regard to your advertisement in The Times. 敬启者，关于贵方在《泰晤士报》所刊之广告，特致此函求教。re used in business letters and in emails to introduce the subject that you are going to write about 关于〔用于商业信函和电子邮件中，以说明事由〕Re: Friday’s meeting 关于星期五的会议

Examples from the Corpus

about• What's all the fuss about?• Basically, the job's all about helping people get off welfare.• I'm not sure what it is about her, but guys really like her.• There was death all about her.• They were talking about music.• This leaflet should answer all the questions you have about switching to digital TV.• What did you like best about the book?• an article about the famine• I'm reading a really good book at the moment - it's about the French Revolution.• Trash and food were strewn about the room.• About this weekend - is everyone still going?• I've been thinking about what you said, and I've decided that you're right.• Toby talks about you all the time.It’s about• It's about a three-hour drive.• Well, it's about making money.• Detective work is about a lot of things, mostly it's about not giving up.• It's about somebody who was killed here.• I was hoping there was, cos it's about time I got back home - it's getting pretty late.• But it isn't, and it's about time the public knew that.• Constant rain, and when it's not raining it looks as if it's about to.• For real racists it's about white rule pure and simple.There’s something ... about• All the same, there's something contrived about it, Miles.• I find the music extremely humorous, there's something ridiculous about it.• There's something almost Miltonic about it.• There's something morbid about my appetite, he thought.• There's something about one lighted window in an otherwise dark building that teases the imagination.• There's something wrong about that.• There's something not right about the way he goes on with her.• There's something rather unhealthy about this particular game.all about• I don't see what the big fuss is all about.• She guessed what it was all about.• We must learn what this New Education is all about!• The most ominous thing of all about Drumcree is that it has confirmed the political bankruptcy of unionism.• Nancy knew all about it: Pa had confided in her a lot toward the end of his life.• I then went off on holiday and forgot all about it.• Scepticism is all about matching belief to evidence.• Its all about money, how much we have how much we make and what we spend it one.about2 ●●● S1 W1 adverb  1  (also round about spoken)APPROXIMATELY a little more or less than a particular number, amount, or size 大约，大概 SYN roughly, approximately I live about 10 miles away. 我住的地方离这里十英里左右。 a tiny computer about as big as a postcard 约明信片大小的微型电脑 We left the restaurant at round about 10.30. 我们10点半左右离开了餐厅。► see thesaurus at approximate RegisterIn written English, people usually prefer to use approximately, as it sounds more technical: 在书面英语中，人们一般更喜欢用approximately，因为此词听上去更专业The cost to taxpayers is approximately $200 billion. 纳税人要支付大约2,000亿美元。2  ABOUT British English in many different directions within a place or in different parts of a place 到处 SYN around People were rushing about, trying to find the driver. 人们四处奔走着寻找司机。 Cushions were scattered about on the chairs. 垫子散放在椅子上。3  HEREnear to you or in the same place as you 在附近，在…周围 Is Derek about? There’s a phone call for him. 德里克在吗？ 有电话找他。 Quick! Let’s go while there’s no-one about. 快点儿! 趁没有人在我们赶紧走。4  British English spokenCOMMON existing or available now 有 I hope she hasn’t caught flu. There’s a lot of it about. 我希望她没得流感，最近得流感的人很多。 She might get temporary work, but there’s not much about. 她也许可以找个临时的工作，但这种机会不是很多。5  informalALMOST almost or probably 几乎 I was about ready to leave when somebody rang the doorbell. 我正准备离开，这时有人按响了门铃。 ‘Have you finished?’ ‘Just about.’ “做完了吗？”“差不多了。” It’s just about the worst mistake anyone could make. 这差不多是一个人可能犯的最大错误了。6  that’s about it/all spokenALL/EVERYTHING a) used to tell someone that you have told them everything you know 知道的都说了 He was a quiet chap, married with kids. That’s about it, really. 他这个人话不多，已婚，有孩子。 大概就是这样。 b) used to say that there is nothing else available 这就是全部，就这些 There’s some cheese in the fridge and that’s about it. 冰箱里有些干酪，就这些。7  OPPOSITE/REVERSEso as to face in the opposite direction 向相反方向，转身，掉头 SYN around He quickly turned about and walked away. 他一个转身就走了。

Examples from the Corpus

about• The chance of men being born colourblind is about 1 in 12.• It should cost about $1500.• Tim's about 25 years old.• For about $ 30,000.• Her music lesson is about 45 minutes long.• The first such creature appeared about 550 million years ago.• The church is about a mile away.• It's been about five years since I've seen Linda.• He left the house round about four o'clock.• The job should be finished round about March next year.• It's two-thirty. They should be arriving about now.• She's 11 months old and just about ready to start walking.• About six months ago he suffered a major heart attack.• The cathedral was completed in about the middle of the 16th century.• The two-month trip will take her more than 26,000 miles in about three dozen legs.• Yes, we've got about twenty drawings.There’s a lot of it about• There's a lot of it about HEALTH-SERVICE reform is in fashion.Just about• I could identify by sight just about 500 of its species -- a pittance of its total diversity.• He pushes the edge of the envelope in just about every category.• Irvin taunted and danced after just about every play.• It was overweight, over cost, over schedule, and over just about everything else.• These are ideal for our purpose and by late summer should be just about right.• It was just about to dive as the train ran on.• We were just about to go abroad when our usual nanny was taken ill and was advised not to travel.• But your training's just about to start and your scores are exceptional - perception, reflexes, empathy ...about3 ●●● S3 W2 adjective  1  be about to do something WILLif someone is about to do something, or if something is about to happen, they will do it or it will happen very soon 即将做某事 We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived. 我们正要离开的时候，杰里来了。 Work was about to start on a new factory building. 新厂房即将动工。2  not be about to do something informalINTEND used to emphasize that you have no intention of doing something 不打算做某事〔用于强调〕 I’ve never smoked in my life and I’m not about to start now. 我这辈子从未抽过烟，现在也不打算开始抽。 → out and about at out1(3), → be up and about at up1(11)Origin about2 Old English abutan, from a- “on” + butan “outside”

a·bout1 preposition →THESAURUS1about2 adverb →REGISTER1about3 adjectiveChineseSyllable  

concerning Corpus to particular relating or a subject

about

I

a‧bout¹ S1 W1 /əˈbaʊt/ preposition
1. concerning or relating to a particular subject:
    a book about politics
    She said something about leaving town.
    He lied about his age.
    About that car of yours. How much are you selling it for?
    What’s he on about (=talking about)?
    It’s about Tommy, doctor. He’s been sick again.
    Naturally, my mother wanted to know all about it (=all the details relating to it).
2. used to show why someone is angry, happy, upset etc:
    I’m really worried about Jack.
    She’s upset about missing the party.
3. in many different directions within a particular place, or in different parts of a place
   SYN  around, round:
    We spent the whole afternoon walking about town.
    Books were scattered about the room.
4. in the nature or character of a person or thing:
    There’s something really strange about Liza.
    What I like about the job is that it’s never boring.
5. what/how about somebody/something spoken
  a. used to ask a question that directs attention to another person or thing:
    What about Jack? We can’t just leave him here.
    I’m feeling hungry. How about you?
  b. used to make a suggestion:
    How about a salad for lunch?
6. do something about something to do something to solve a problem or stop a bad situation:
    If we don’t do something about it, the problem is going to get worse.
    What can be done about the rising levels of pollution?
7. if an organization, a job, an activity etc is about something, that is its basic purpose:
    Leadership is all about getting your team to co-operate.
8. it’s all about somebody/something used to say who or what is important in a situation:
    It’s all about money, and who’s got the most.
9. while you’re about it spoken used to tell someone to do something while they are doing something else because it would be easier to do both things at the same time:
    Go and see what’s the matter, and while you’re about it you can fetch me my sweater.
10. what was all that about? spoken used to ask the reason for something that has just happened, especially someone’s angry behaviour
11. literary surrounding a person or thing:
    Jo sensed fear and jealousy all about her.
⇨ be quick about it at quick¹(5), ⇨ go about your business at business(12)
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ about used when saying what the subject of something is: She’s always talking about you. | In her novels she writes about life in South Africa. | There’s something I wanted to ask you about.
   ▪ on about a particular subject: a book on English grammar | a report on poverty in rural areas
   ▪ concerning/regarding formal about: Prince Saiid answered questions concerning Kuwait’s future. | The report raises a number of questions regarding food safety.
   ▪ with regard to formal about – used especially when you want to start talking or writing about something: Dear Sir, I’m writing with regard to your advertisement in The Times.
   ▪ re used in business letters and in emails to introduce the subject that you are going to write about: Re: Friday’s meeting

II

about² S1 W1 adverb1. (also round about spoken) a little more or less than a particular number, amount, or size
   SYN  roughly, approximately:
    I live about 10 miles away.
    a tiny computer about as big as a postcard
    We left the restaurant at round about 10.30.
  REGISTER
    In written English, people usually prefer to use approximately, as it sounds more technical:
   ▪ The cost to taxpayers is approximately $200 billion.
2. British English in many different directions within a place or in different parts of a place
   SYN  around:
    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 Derek 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:
    I hope she hasn’t caught flu. There’s a lot of it 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.
    ‘Have you finished?’ ‘Just about.’
    It’s just about the worst mistake anyone could make.
6. that’s about it/all spoken
  a. 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.
  b. used to say that there is nothing else available:
    There’s some cheese in the fridge and that’s about it.
7. so as to face in the opposite direction
   SYN  around:
    He quickly turned about and walked away.

III

about³ adjective
1. be about to do something if someone is about to do something, or if something is about to happen, they will do it or it will happen very soon:
    We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived.
    Work was about to start on a new factory building.
2. not be about to do something informal used to emphasize that you have no intention of doing something:
    I’ve never smoked in my life and I’m not about to start now.
⇨ out and about at out¹(3), ⇨ be up and about at up¹(11)
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ approximately more or less than a number or amount – used especially in technical or scientific contexts: The company had total revenues of approximately $2 million. | The disease affects approximately 10% of the adult population.
   ▪ about more or less than a number or amount. ‘About’ is the usual word to use in everyday English: It costs about $30 to get a visa. | There were about 50 people at the meeting.
   ▪ roughly /ˈrʌfli/ about – used when you are trying to give someone a general idea of the size, amount, or number of something: The two countries are roughly the same size. | Roughly how many miles do you travel a year?
   ▪ around about a number or time – used when you are guessing: I’ll be there around 5 o'clock. | The BBC broadcasts around 2,000 radio dramas every year.
   ▪ somewhere/something in the region of formal about – used with very large numbers or amounts: Last year he earned something in the region of $60 million. | It costs somewhere in the region of £100,000 to train a new doctor.
   ▪ or so informal about – used after a period of time, a number, or an amount: The journey takes an hour or so.
   ▪ circa /ˈsɜːkə $ ˈsɜːr-/ formal about – used with dates a long time ago in the past: The house was built circa 1530.
   ▪ or more used after a number or amount, when the total may be a lot more: A thirty-second commercial can cost £60,000 or more.
   ▪ upwards of more than a number or amount: The aircraft can carry upwards of 400 passengers.