Around-About | Commonly Confused Words

Around

/əˈraʊnd/

In several different places; surrounding; in every direction

Sit around all these years and pray for your return?Gride shouted, throwing papers around the room.He spins around to face us.

This word has no antonyms

/əˈbaʊt/

Relating to or concerning something

She started talking about drawing.About two years after I saw the footprint.His nerves were as taut as cords about to snap.

This word has no antonyms

Around often circles a point, indicating movement or presence in a roughly circular path or area.
About is more general and often refers to intent or summary.
If something is located around a place, think of a circle surrounding it.
Use about when discussing a subject or topic of conversation, not location.
Around can imply approximation in numbers or time, but about can do this too, making them sometimes interchangeable.