thereabouts
/'ðeərəbaut/ Cách viết khác : (thereabouts) /'ðeərəbauts/
Học thuậtThân thiện
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
- near that place
- he stayed in London or thereabouts for several weeks
- near that time or date
- come at noon or thereabouts