Definition

Adverb 1. Approximately, nearly, almost: Used to indicate an amount, number, time, or degree that is not exact but is close to being correct or complete. * Synonymous with: approximately, around, roughly, more or less, nearly, almost.

Usage

The adverb "just about" is used to soften a statement, making it less precise or absolute. It indicates that something is very close to a certain state, quantity, or point in time, but not exactly or completely so.

Examples

• Quantity/Number:
  • I've read just about every book in this series. (I have read nearly all of them.)
  • The repair cost just about \$200. (The cost was approximately \$200.)
• State/Completion:
  • I'm just about ready to leave. (I am almost ready.)
  • The cake is just about done baking. (The cake is nearly finished baking.)
• Time:
  • He left just about an hour ago. (He left approximately an hour ago.)
  • We should arrive just about noon. (We should arrive around noon.)

Advanced Usage

• "Just about all": Emphasizes that nearly everything or everyone is included.
  • She knows just about all there is to know about marine biology.
• "Just about to": Indicates that an action is on the verge of happening imminently.
  • I was just about to call you when you arrived.
• "Just about had it" (idiomatic): Expresses being at the limit of one's patience or endurance.
  • After the third delay, I had just about had it.

Variants and Related Words

• About (adv.): Can be used similarly to mean "approximately" (e.g., ), though "just about" often feels slightly more informal or emphatic.
• Nearly (adv.): Very close to, but slightly less than (e.g., ).
• Almost (adv.): Very close to, but not completely (e.g., ).

Synonyms

approximately, around, roughly, more or less, nearly, almost, close to, practically, virtually.

Related Phrases

• More or less: To a certain degree; approximately.
  • The project is more or less complete.
• Or so: Used after a quantity or time to indicate approximation.
  • We'll need twenty or so chairs.

Related Idioms

• Just about to burst: Extremely full, excited, or eager.
  • The kids were just about to burst with excitement before the show.

Adverb

1. (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
   • lasted approximately an hour
   • in just about a minute
   • he's about 30 years old
   • I've had about all I can stand
   • we meet about once a month
   • some forty people came
   • weighs around a hundred pounds
   • roughly $3,000
   • holds 3 gallons, more or less
   • 20 or so people were at the party