How to Pronounce About

To pronounce "about", say ab-OUT — 2 syllables, IPA /əˈbaʊt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

about

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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2

Syllables

5

Letters

/əˈbaʊt/

🇺🇸 IPA (US)

/ɐbˈaʊt/

🇬🇧 IPA (UK)

💡 Tip for remembering “about”

Break "about" into 2 beats and lean on "OUT" — that's the stressed one.

What does about mean?

adjective

  1. Moving around; astir.

    “After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.”

  2. In existence; being in evidence; apparent.

    “This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.”

adverb

  1. On all sides; around.

    “I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.”

  2. Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.

    “Bits of old machinery were lying about.”

preposition

  1. In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.

    “The snake was coiled about his ankle.”

  2. Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.

    “He was well known about town.”

Synonyms

aroundactiveastirmobileaproposas for

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Frequently asked questions

How do you pronounce "about"?▾

To pronounce "about", say ab-OUT — 2 syllables, IPA /əˈbaʊt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

How many syllables are in "about"?▾

"About" has 2 syllables: ab · out.

What is the IPA transcription of "about"?▾

The IPA transcription of "about" is /əˈbaʊt/.

What does "about" mean?▾

About: Moving around; astir.

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