* Preposition: This is the most common usage. It shows the position or direction of something relative to something else.
* Example: "The dog ran around the tree."
* Adverb: This is used to describe a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It usually indicates movement in a circular or general direction.
* Example: "The kids played around in the yard."
* Adjective: While less common, it can be used to describe something as being circular or encompassing a wide area.
* Example: "The meeting had an around-the-clock schedule."
It's important to look at the context of the sentence to determine the specific function of "around."