around
/əˈɹaʊnd/ adverb A2- So as to form a circle or trace a circular path, or approximation thereof. · High above, vultures circled around.
- So as to surround or be near. · Everybody please gather around.· There isn't another house for miles around.
- Nearly; approximately; about. · Around a thousand people attended.· An adult elephant weighs around five tons.
- From place to place. · There are rumors going around that the company is bankrupt.· Look around and see what you find.
- From one state or condition to an opposite or very different one; with a metaphorical change in direction; bringing about awareness or agreement. · The team wasn't doing well, but the new coach really turned things around.· He used to stay up late but his new girlfriend changed that around.
- So as to partially or completely rotate; so as to face in the opposite direction. · Turn around at the end of this street.· She spun around a few times.
- Used with verbs to indicate repeated or continuous action, or in numerous locations or with numerous people. · I asked around, and no-one really liked it.· Shopping around can get you a better deal.
- Used with certain verbs to suggest unproductive activity. · sit around, mess around, loaf around
From the library
When Dorothy stood in the doorway and looked around, she could see nothing but the great gray prairie on every side.
“Madame,” replied Villefort, with a mournful smile, “I have already had the honor to observe that my father has—at least, I hope so—abjured his past errors, and that he is, at the present moment, a firm and zealous friend to religion and order—a better royalist, possibly, than his son; for he has to atone for past dereliction, while I have no other impulse than warm, decided preference and conviction.” Having made this well-turned speech, Villefort looked carefully around to mark the effect of his oratory, much as he would have done had he been addressing the bench in open court.
I went all the way around by the road to lengthen out the time.
“How can I tell you?” replied he; “I am, like yourself, utterly bewildered at all that is going on, and cannot in the least make out what it is about.” Caderousse then looked around for Fernand, but he had disappeared.
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