preposition

about

uh-BOUT/əˈbaʊt/

On the subject of something.

The neighbors discuss ideas about the playground model on their table.

At a planning table, several neighbors point and gesture toward one central playground model while every note, sample, and hand movement is directed around that same subject.

Etymology

aOld Englishon, in

+bOld Englishby, near

+outOld Englishoutside

The pieces originally expressed being on the outside or around something. This spatial relation broadened into “in connection with,” allowing about to link speech or thought to its subject.

In context

Rory Stewart10:56

and you're terrified about the humiliation of defeat.

Rory Stewart: Time to end the war in Afghanistan

TED2:38

Let's think for a minute about what it takes to make a Pixar movie:

Linda Hill: How to manage for collective creativity

More examples

We talked about the trip.
This book is about insects.
What are you worried about?

Forms

about

Similar words

concerning: More formal and specifically introduces a subject.