about

• Utilisé pour indiquer une approximation, un sujet dont on parle ou le fait d'être sur le point de faire quelque chose.

Used to indicate approximation, concerning a subject, or being on the point of doing something.

1. On the moveB1informal

   Active or moving around; not stationary.

   en mouvement

   • The children are about, playing in the garden.
   • He's always about, never sitting still for long.
   • The cat is about somewhere, probably hiding.

   Synonymesactivearoundastirmovingstirring

2. ApproximatelyA2formal

   Used to indicate an imprecise but fairly close estimate of a quantity.

   environ (approximativement)

   • The project will cost about a thousand dollars.
   • She is about thirty years old.
   • We have about ten minutes before the meeting starts.

   Synonymesapproximatelyaroundcircaclose tomore or lessnearroughly

   Antonymesexactlyprecisely

3. All aroundA2formal

   Surrounding or encircling; on all sides.

   autour de

   • The fields about the house are full of flowers.
   • There were trees about the lake.
   • The crowd gathered about the speaker.

   Synonymesambientencirclingencompassingsurrounding

4. In the vicinityA2informal

   Located nearby or in the area.

   Dans les environs

   • Is there a pharmacy about here?
   • I think he's somewhere about the office.
   • There are no shops about this neighborhood.

   Synonymesaroundat handherenearnearbypresent

5. Moving in various directionsB1informal

   Moving to or among many different places without a specific direction.

   en tous sens

   • The tourists wandered about the city.
   • She was running about the house looking for her keys.
   • The children were running about in the park.

   Synonymesaroundround

6. Reversed positionB2formal

   In or to a reversed or opposite position or direction.

   Position inversée

   • He turned about and walked away.
   • The ship came about to avoid the storm.
   • She spun about to face him.

   Synonymesaroundbackwardsoppositereversed

7. In rotation or successionC1formal

   In a circular order or sequence.

   En rotation ou en succession

   • The seasons come about in a predictable cycle.
   • The wheel turned about on its axle.
   • The dancers moved about in a circle.

8. Nearly accomplishedB2informal

   Slightly short of or not quite accomplished; almost.

   presque accompli

   • The work is about finished.
   • He was about to leave when the phone rang.
   • The project is about complete.

   Antonymesawaycompletelyfarfully

• Adverbe utilisé pour indiquer une approximation, une proximité dans le temps ou la quantité, ou un mouvement dans différentes directions. Peut signifier « environ », « presque », « autour » ou « aux alentours ». S’emploie aussi dans des verbes à particule comme « come about » ou « set about ».

An adverb used to indicate approximation, nearness in time or quantity, or movement in various directions. It can mean 'approximately,' 'nearly,' 'around,' or 'in the vicinity.' Also used in phrasal verbs like 'come about' or 'set about.'

1. On the moveB1informal

   Moving around or active, often used to describe someone who is not stationary.

   En mouvement, actif

   • The children were about all day, playing in the yard.
   • He's always about, never sitting still for a moment.
   • The cat is about somewhere, probably hunting mice.

   Synonymesabroadactivearoundastirmovingstirring

   Antonymesfixedinactivestationary

2. ApproximatelyA2formal

   Used to indicate an imprecise but fairly close estimate of a quantity or number.

   Approximativement

   • There were about fifty people at the party.
   • The project will cost about ten thousand dollars.
   • She arrived about an hour ago.

   Synonymesalmostapproximatelyaroundcircaclose tomore or lessnearlyor soroughly

   Antonymesexactlyprecisely

3. All aroundB1formal

   In every direction; on all sides.

   tout autour

   • The children ran about the garden.
   • Papers were scattered about the room.
   • He looked about him, searching for a familiar face.

   Synonymesaroundround

4. NearbyA2informal

   In the area or vicinity; close by.

   à proximité

   • Is there a post office about here?
   • She must be about somewhere.
   • I left my keys about, but I can't find them.

   Synonymesaroundnearby

5. Here and thereB1informal

   Moving to or among many different places without a specific direction.

   çà et là

   • We wandered about the city for hours.
   • The tourists were walking about the market.
   • He drove about the countryside looking for a good spot.

   Synonymesaroundround

6. Reversed directionB2formal

   In or to a reversed position or direction; facing the opposite way.

   dans la direction opposée

   • He turned about and walked back.
   • The ship came about to avoid the storm.
   • She spun about to face him.

   Synonymesaroundbackbackwardsround

7. In successionC1formal

   In rotation or succession; one after another.

   à la suite

   • The seasons turn about in a cycle.
   • The dancers moved about in a circle.
   • The wheel spun about rapidly.

   Synonymesalternatelyin turnone after anothersuccessively

8. AlmostB2informal

   Slightly short of or not quite accomplished; nearly.

   presque

   • I'm about ready to leave.
   • The work is about finished.
   • He was about to say something, but stopped.

   Synonymesalmostapproximatelyclose tojust aboutnearnearlypracticallyroughlyvirtually

   Antonymesexactlyprecisely