- on the subject of somebody/something; in connection with somebody/something
- a book about flowers
- Tell me all about it.
- What's she so angry about?
- There's something strange about him.
- There's something about this business that is not quite right.
- I don't know what you're on about (= talking about).
- There's nothing you can do about it now.
Language Bank aboutaboutSaying what a text is about- The book is about homeless people in the cities.
- The report deals with the issue of homelessness in London.
- The writer discusses the problems faced by homeless people.
- The article presents an overview of the issues surrounding homelessness.
- The novel explores the theme of friendship among homeless people.
- The first chapter examines the relationship between homelessness and drug addiction.
- The paper considers the question of why so many young people become homeless.
- used to describe the purpose or an aspect of something
- Movies are all about making money these days.
- What was all that about? (= what was the reason for what has just happened?)
- busy with something; doing something
- Everywhere people were going about their daily business.
- And while you’re about it… (= while you’re doing that)
- (especially British English) in many directions in a place; here and there
- We wandered about the town for an hour or so.
- He looked about the room.
- (especially British English) in various parts of a place; here and there
- The papers were strewn about the room.
- (especially British English) next to a place or person; in the area mentioned
- She's somewhere about the office.
- (literary) surrounding somebody/something
- She wore a shawl about her shoulders.
Idioms
See about in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee about in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishhow/what about…?
- used when asking for information about somebody/something
- How about Ruth? Have you heard from her?
- I'm having fish. What about you?
- used to make a suggestion
- How about going for a walk?
- (especially North American English) How about we go for a walk?
- What about a break?
Check pronunciation:
about