thereabout
/'ðeərəbaut/ Cách viết khác : (thereabouts) /'ðeərəbauts/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- Near that place: Used to indicate that something is located in or near a previously mentioned location, without specifying the exact spot.
- Near that amount, number, or time: Used to indicate that a quantity, number, or time is approximate, not exact.
Usage and Examples
Indicating approximate location:
- The map says the treasure is buried in the old field or thereabout.
- He said he lived in Boston or thereabout, but I'm not sure of his exact address.
Indicating approximate quantity, number, or time:
- The repair will cost a hundred dollars or thereabout.
- We expect to arrive at six o'clock or thereabout.
Advanced Usage and Notes
- "Or thereabout(s)": This is the most common construction. The word is almost always used in the phrase "or thereabout(s)" to express approximation. The form "thereabouts" is more frequently used than "thereabout."
- The population is ten thousand or thereabouts.
- The word is formal and somewhat old-fashioned. In modern, casual English, speakers often use alternatives like "around," "about," or "approximately."
Variants and Related Words
- Thereabouts (adv): The more common plural/adverbial form, used identically to "thereabout."
- The journey takes two hours or thereabouts.
Synonyms
- Approximately: Close to a particular number, time, or amount but not exact.
- Roughly: Used to indicate that a number, amount, or time is not exact.
- Circa (used especially with dates): At, in, or approximately a particular year.
- Around: In the vicinity of; approximately.
Antonyms
- Exactly: In an exact manner; accurately.
- Precisely: In exact terms; without vagueness.
- Specifically: In a way that is exact and detailed.
Adverb
- near that place
- he stayed in London or thereabouts for several weeks
- near that time or date
- come at noon or thereabouts