around

• Adverbe aux sens liés : (1) approximativement (« autour de dix heures »), (2) dans les environs ou à proximité (« Elle a regardé autour d'elle »), (3) de tous les côtés ou sur tout le pourtour (« La clôture fait le tour du jardin »). Utilisé surtout en anglais britannique et américain.

An adverb with several related meanings: (1) approximately (“around ten o’clock”), (2) in the vicinity or nearby (“She looked around”), (3) on all sides or throughout (“The fence goes around the garden”). It is frequently used in both British and American English.

1. Near; in the vicinityA1informal

   In or at a location close to the speaker or listener; nearby.

   aux alentours

   • There’s a coffee shop around the corner.
   • Do you live around here?
   • We walked around the park for a while.

   Synonymesaboutat handclosenearnearby

2. Approximately; aboutA2informal

   Used to indicate an approximate amount, number, or time.

   environ

   • The meeting will last around an hour.
   • There were around fifty people at the concert.
   • I'll be back around 5 pm.

   Synonymesaboutapproximatelycircaclose tomore or lessnearlyroughly

   Antonymesexactlyprecisely

3. In a circle; turning backB1informal

   Moving in a circular path or returning to a previous position.

   En cercle; en revenant

   • She looked around before entering the room.
   • He turned around when he heard his name.
   • After a short break, the conversation turned around to the new project.

   Synonymesaboutbackround

4. Surrounded by; encirclingB2formalbritish

   Existing or placed all around something or someone.

   tout autour

   • The garden was filled with flowers planted around the fountain.
   • They built a fence around the property for security.
   • The city is surrounded by mountains that rise around it.

   Synonymesaboutall-aroundround

• Préposition indiquant un mouvement circulaire, une position entourant un objet, une quantité ou un moment approximatif, une répartition dans un espace, ou le fait de contourner un obstacle.

A preposition indicating movement in a circular or curved path, position surrounding or on all sides of something, approximation of time or quantity, distribution within an area, or avoidance of an obstacle or issue.

1. Movement in a circular or curved pathA2formal

   Used to show movement following a circular route or curve, often returning to or near the starting point, or moving along the perimeter of something.

   autour de, en rond

   • We walked around the lake.
   • The children ran around the playground.
   • She turned around to see who was behind her.
   • The Earth moves around the Sun.

2. Position on all sides or surrounding somethingA2formal

   Indicates that someone or something is located on every side of an object, person, or place, forming an enclosure or border.

   autour de

   • They sat around the table.
   • There was a fence around the garden.
   • She wore a scarf around her neck.
   • Crowds gathered around the stage.

3. Approximate time, number, or amountB1formal

   Used before a number, time, or quantity to indicate that the figure is not exact but close to the stated value.

   environ, à peu près

   • I'll arrive around 6 o'clock.
   • It costs around fifty dollars.
   • There were around twenty people at the meeting.
   • She's around thirty years old.

4. Movement to various places within an areaB1formal

   Indicates moving without a fixed direction or purpose to different locations within a particular place, region, or environment.

   dans les parages, çà et là

   • We spent the day walking around the city.
   • He traveled around Europe last summer.
   • She showed me around the office.
   • They drove around looking for a parking spot.

5. Avoiding or bypassing an obstacle or issueB2formal

   Used to indicate movement that goes past something without touching it, or metaphorically, dealing with a problem indirectly rather than confronting it directly.

   en contournant, sans toucher

   • We drove around the traffic jam.
   • She found a way around the rules.
   • He talked around the subject instead of answering directly.
   • They built the road around the mountain.

6. Existence or presence in a place or situationB2informal

   Used informally to indicate that someone or something exists, is available, or is active in a particular location, context, or period.

   présence ou disponibilité (quelque part)

   • Is there a doctor around?
   • He's been around for a long time.
   • There are plenty of opportunities around.
   • Rumours have been around about the merger.