HOW TO PRONOUNCE
about
/əˈbaʊt/
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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:47
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Keep the first vowel relaxed.
The initial a is schwa, /ə/, here. Give the second syllable the main stress and let its ow vowel glide without strengthening the opening.
2 syllables · Stress on syllable 2
TRY SAYING
“Tell me about your trip.”
APG practice sentence · CC BY-SA 4.0
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗What does about mean?
preposition
- In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of; around.
- Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
- See about to.
More meanings (24)
preposition
- Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of.
- Concerned or occupied with; engaged in; intent on.
- Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
- On one’s person; nearby the person.
- (figuratively) On or near (one's person); attached as an attribute to; in the makeup of, or at the command of.
- (obsolete) On the point or verge of.
adverb
- On all sides, or in every or any direction from a point; around.
- Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
- From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
- Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
- Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
- Near; in the vicinity.
- To a reversed order, direction, or condition; half round; in (or to, or from) the opposite direction.
- To the opposite tack: see go about.
- (obsolete, rare) In succession, one after another.
- (obsolete, rare) In rotation or revolution.
- (obsolete) In the course of events.
- (archaic) In circuit or circumference; circularly.
- (archaic) By a circuitous way; circuitously.
adjective
- Moving around or in motion; astir.
- In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
- Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
verb
- To change the course of (a ship) to the other tack; to bring (a ship) about.
- (humorous) To about-face (turn 180 degrees, like a soldier).
Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0
IPA pronunciation
/əˈbaʊt/
Pronunciation used in the listening tip.
CMU Pronouncing Dictionary ↗Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.
In the pages of books
See this word in context.
She felt very curious to know what it was all about, and crept a little way out of the wood to listen.
The agricultural sector accounts for 25% of GDP, employs about 40% of the labor force, and contributes about 66% to total exports.
More book examples (3)
He spoke long and earnestly, but what it was all about Smee, who was rather stupid, did not know in the least.
Of all the bewildering things about a new country, the absence of human landmarks is one of the most depressing and disheartening.
In about the time a person unaccustomed to bodily labour would have decided upon which side to lie, Farmer Oak was asleep.