Definition

Adverb: 1. Near that place or location: Used to indicate that something is in, at, or near a mentioned place, but not precisely there. 2. Approximately that number, amount, or time: Used to indicate that a quantity, number, or date is close to, but not exactly, the one mentioned.

Usage

• Use "thereabouts" (or the variant "thereabout") after mentioning a specific place, number, or time to show that the actual location, quantity, or moment is not exact but is very close to it.
• It is often preceded by "or" or placed after a comma following the specific reference point.

Examples

• Referring to a place:
  • The ancient ruins are located in the valley or thereabouts.
  • He said he lived in Boston or thereabout.
• Referring to a number or amount:
  • The repairs will cost a thousand dollars or thereabouts.
  • A crowd of fifty people , thereabouts, gathered in the square.
• Referring to a time:
  • The meeting will start at three o'clock or thereabouts.
  • We expect the package to arrive on the 15th or thereabout.

Advanced Usage

• "Or thereabouts" as a set phrase: This is the most common construction, functioning as an adverbial phrase to modify the preceding noun (place, number, time).
  • The final score was 2-1 or thereabouts. I wasn't paying close attention.
• Stylistic note: "Thereabout" (without the 's') is a less common variant, but both forms are acceptable and interchangeable in modern usage.

Variants and Related Words

• Thereabout (adv.): A variant form of "thereabouts" with identical meaning.
• Approximately (adv.): Close to a particular number, time, or amount but not exactly.
• Roughly (adv.): In a manner that is not exact or detailed; approximately.
• Circa (prep.): Used especially with dates to mean "approximately" (e.g., ).

Synonyms

• About
• Around
• More or less
• In the region of
• In the vicinity (primarily for location)

Antonyms

• Exactly
• Precisely
• Specifically

Adverb

1. near that place
   • he stayed in London or thereabouts for several weeks
2. near that time or date
   • come at noon or thereabouts