cir ‧ ca /ˈsɜːkə $ ˈsɜːr-/ BrE AmE preposition formal
[ Date: 1800-1900 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: circum ; CIRCUM- ]
used before a date to show that something happened close to but not exactly on that date SYN around :
manuscripts dating from circa 1100
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THESAURUS
▪ approximately more or less than a number or amount – used especially in technical or scientific contexts:
The company had total revenues of approximately $2 million.
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The disease affects approximately 10% of the adult population.
▪ about more or less than a number or amount. ‘About’ is the usual word to use in everyday English:
It costs about $30 to get a visa.
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There were about 50 people at the meeting.
▪ roughly /ˈrʌfli/ about – used when you are trying to give someone a general idea of the size, amount, or number of something:
The two countries are roughly the same size.
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Roughly how many miles do you travel a year?
▪ around about a number or time – used when you are guessing:
I’ll be there around 5 o'clock.
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The BBC broadcasts around 2,000 radio dramas every year.
▪ somewhere/something in the region of formal about – used with very large numbers or amounts:
Last year he earned something in the region of $60 million.
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It costs somewhere in the region of £100,000 to train a new doctor.
▪ or so informal about – used after a period of time, a number, or an amount:
The journey takes an hour or so.
▪ circa /ˈsɜːkə $ ˈsɜːr-/ formal about – used with dates a long time ago in the past:
The house was built circa 1530.
▪ or more used after a number or amount, when the total may be a lot more:
A thirty-second commercial can cost £60,000 or more.
▪ upwards of more than a number or amount:
The aircraft can carry upwards of 400 passengers.