Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary

7 ADV [ADV after v] If someone or something moves about , they keep moving in different directions. □  Everyone was running about. ● PREP About is also a preposition. □  He wandered about the town stopping to listen to bands.

8 PREP If you put something about a person or thing, you put it around them. □  Helen threw her arms about him.

9 ADJ [v-link ADJ ] If someone or something is about , they are present or available. □  There's lots of money about these days for schemes like this.

10 ADJ If you are about to do something, you are going to do it very soon. If something is about to happen, it will happen very soon. □  I think he's about to leave. □  The film was about to start.

11how about → see how

12what about → see what

13just about → see just ➊

14 PHRASE If someone is out and about , they are going out and doing things, especially after they have been unable to for a while. □  Despite considerable pain she has been getting out and about almost as normal.

15 PHRASE If someone is out and about , they are going to a lot of different places, often as part of their job. □  They often saw me out and about. USAGE about

Don’t use an -ing form in 'about to ' sentences. Don’t say, for example, ‘ You are about crossing the River Jordan ’. Say 'You are about to cross the River Jordan'. □  I was about to go home.

abou t-fa ce (about-faces ) N‑COUNT An about-face is a complete change of attitude or opinion. □  Few observers believe the president will do an about-face and start spending more.

abou t-tu rn (about-turns ) N‑COUNT An about-turn is the same as an about-face . [BRIT ] in AM, use about-face

above ◆◆◇ /əbʌ v/

1 PREP If one thing is above another one, it is directly over it or higher than it. □  He lifted his hands above his head. □  Apartment 46 was a quiet apartment, unlike the one above it. □  He was staring into the mirror above him. ● ADV [ADV after v, from ADV ] Above is also an adverb. □  A long scream sounded from somewhere above. □  …a picture of the new plane as seen from above.

2 ADV [ADV after v, n ADV ] In writing, you use above to refer to something that has already been mentioned or discussed. □  Several conclusions could be drawn from the results described above. ● N‑SING [with sing or pl verb] Above is also a noun. □  For additional information, contact any of the above. ● ADJ [ADJ n] Above is also an adjective. □  For a copy of their brochure, write to the above address.

3 PREP If an amount or measurement is above a particular level, it is greater than that level. □  The temperature crept up to just above 40 degrees. □  Victoria Falls has had above average levels of rainfall this year. □  Government spending is planned to rise 3 per cent above inflation. ● ADV Above is also an adverb. □  Banks have been charging 25 percent and above for unsecured loans.

4 PREP If you hear one sound above another, it is louder or clearer than the second one. □  Then there was a woman's voice, rising shrilly above the barking.

5 PREP If someone is above you, they are in a higher social position than you or in a position of authority over you. □  I married above myself–rich county people. ● ADV [from ADV ] Above is also an adverb. □  The police officers admitted beating the student, but said they were acting on orders from above.