about 1 on or dealing with a particular subject: a book about politics | She said something about leaving town. | all about (=all the details of a particular subject): Naturally, my mother wanted to know all about it. 2 in many different directions within a particular place, or in different parts of a place: We spent the whole afternoon walking about town. | Books were scattered about the room. 3 in the nature or character of a person or thing: There's something really odd about Liza. | What I like about the movie is the dialogue. 4 what about/how about spoken a) used to ask for news or information about someone or something: What about Jack? We can't just leave him here. b) used to make a suggestion: How about a salad for lunch? 5 spoken used to introduce a subject that you want to talk about: About that car of yours. How much are you selling it for? | it's about: It's about Tommy, doctor. He's been sick again. 6 do sth about to do something to solve a problem or stop a bad situation: What can be done about the rising levels of pollution? 7 if an organization, a job, an activity etc is about something, that is its basic purpose: Basically, the job's all about helping people get the benefits they are entitled to. 8 be quick about it spoken used to tell someone to do something quickly: Get me a drink and be quick about it. 9 while you're about it spoken used to tell someone to do something while they are doing something else because it would be easier to do both at the same time: Clean up while I'm away and you might as well do the attic while you're about it. 10 about your person formal if you hide something about your person, you hide it in your clothes: He had concealed the weapon somewhere about his person. 11 literary surrounding a person or thing: Jo sensed fear and jealousy all about her. home