Another Word for About – Meaning, Synonyms, and Examples
The word about is a highly versatile word, functioning as a preposition (meaning concerning or around), an adverb (meaning approximately or nearly), or an adjective (meaning moving around). To make your English more varied and specific, learning another word for about will help. Using synonyms allows you to specify whether you mean concerning, approximately, or nearly.
What is Another Word for About?
The best single-word alternatives depend heavily on the context:
- If referring to subject matter (Preposition): A great synonym is concerning.
- About means relating to or having reference to.
- Concerning means regarding; respecting.
- Both words introduce the topic or subject of discussion.
- If referring to approximation (Adverb): A great synonym is approximately.
- About means near in number or time; almost.
- Approximately means close to the actual, but not precisely.
- Both words convey an estimation or closeness to a true value.
Synonyms for “About”
Here are some common single-word synonyms based on meaning:
| Meaning/Function | Synonym | Example Use |
| Concerning/Regarding (Preposition) | Concerning | The meeting was concerning the new budget. |
| Approximately/Roughly (Adverb) | Approximately | The delivery will take approximately three hours. |
| Nearly/Almost (Adverb) | Nearly | The project is nearly finished. |
| Around (Preposition) | Circa | The pottery dates from circa 1400 AD. |
| Around/Near (Adverb) | Nearby | We searched nearby for the lost keys. |
Example Sentences
- The entire memo was concerning the new security protocols. (Instead of “was about…”)
- The cost of the repairs will be approximately five hundred dollars. (Instead of “about five hundred…”)
- The old building was constructed circa 1880, based on historical records. (Instead of “about 1880″)
- I was nearly ready to leave when the phone rang. (Instead of “I was about ready…”)
- The lost wallet was found nearby the cafe. (Instead of “found about the cafe.”)
Mini Dialogue
Sam: “How much longer will it take to finish the report about the merger?”
Mia: “It’s nearly complete. I’d say I need approximately 30 more minutes of work.”
Sam: “Great. The board needs the information concerning the final terms right away.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don’t use Circa for anything other than an approximate date or time period.
✅ Do use Concerning or Regarding for subject matter, and Approximately or Nearly for numbers and readiness.
Let’s Practice!
Which synonym best fits this sentence?
“Do you have any information _______ the schedule change?”
(Answer: regarding – It is the best fit for asking about information on a specific topic.)
Practice Tip
Use one new synonym for “about” in your next message or conversation today.
Final Note
Knowing what is another word for about and practicing synonyms like concerning and approximately will help you describe subject matter and estimations clearly.
