What Does 'About' Mean?

Have you ever heard someone say, 'Let's talk about the weather!'? The word 'about' is like a little helper that tells us what we're going to talk about or what something is for. It's like pointing to a toy and saying, 'This is about playing!' Sometimes, 'About' is even a name, like a last name for a person.

It can also be the name of a website that gives you lots of information, like a super-smart helper for your computer!

The word 'about' has been around for a super long time, like since the days of knights and castles! It started as a way to say 'around' or 'near' something. Imagine you're walking 'about' the playground.

It means you're walking around it. Over many years, people started using 'about' to mean 'concerning' or 'on the subject of,' which is how we use it today when we say 'This book is about dinosaurs!'

The word 'about' is like a signpost for our brains! When you see a sign that says 'About this app,' it tells you where to find important details. Websites like About.com (which is now called Dotdash Meredith) were like giant libraries of information, all organized so you could learn about anything.

And that little symbol that looks like '≈'? That means 'about equal,' like saying two things are almost the same size, like two cookies that are almost the same!

You see 'about' everywhere! There's a special little box on computer programs called an 'About box.' It's like a tiny report card for the program, telling you who made it and what it does. Then there's a website called about.me where people can create their own little page to show everyone who they are and what they like. It's like a digital introduction card!