The word about shows up everywhere in English, working in several distinct ways:

1. To indicate a topic or subject. When you write an essay about dolphins, dolphins are what your essay discusses. A book about ancient Rome focuses on that civilization. If someone asks, “What's that movie about?” they want to know its subject or story.
2. To mean approximately or around. When your dad says dinner will be ready in about ten minutes, he means roughly ten minutes, give or take. A room measuring about twelve feet across isn't exactly twelve feet. Scientists use about when giving estimates: “The dinosaurs died out about 66 million years ago.”
3. To mean on the verge of or ready to do something. When you're about to leave for school, you're moments away from walking out the door. A balloon filled too full is about to pop. This usage creates suspense: “I was about to answer when the teacher called on someone else.”