EN

Synonyms for about

  • preposition
  • adverb

Most common

regarding with regard to concerning respecting after

Synonyms by meaning

Preposition

1. Concerning — concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of

concerning, regarding, with regard to, respecting, with respect to, in regard to, in relation to, on, as regards, re, upon, in reference to formal, as to, as for, apropos of, apropos, touching dated, anent dated

Other

after, through, as respects formal, circa

Adverb

1. Many senses — here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down

around, approximately, some, just about, roughly, here and there, around about informal AU, close to, more-or-less

2. Nearly — nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost

nearly, almost, near, most, well-nigh, virtually, nigh

Other

generally, ish informal

Antonyms

precisely

All antonyms of about →

Definitions

  1. prep. 1

    Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of.

    He talked a lot about his childhood.

  2. adv. 1

    Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.

    Bits of old machinery were lying about.

  3. adv. 2

    Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.

    I was so scared, I about fainted.

Related words

Phrases
bring about mess about muck about come about just about set about mill about hang about

Choose the right word

About, Of, With, For, In or Concerning?

The business of a druggist; in business with his father; doing business for his father; have you business with me? business in New York; business about, concerning, or in regard to certain property.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • regarding I have a question regarding your earlier comments.
  • concerning Concerning this computer, it broke a few days ago.
  • respecting Tom and Mary have started respecting each other.
  • after After the meeting she headed straight to her desk.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
aboutrising
regardingsteady
concerningfalling
respectingfalling
aftersteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

2 letters
on1, re1
3 letters
ish1
4 letters
some1, most1, near1, upon2, nigh1
5 letters
after2, circa2, anent
6 letters
around2, almost2, nearly2
7 letters
through1, roughly2, apropos3
8 letters
touching2
9 letters
generally4, regarding3, virtually4
10 letters
concerning3, respecting3
13 letters
approximately5

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (upon2 = 2 syllables).