circa

circa — preposition

1. used before a date, number, or time period to show that the exact figure is not

1.prepositionB2
Definition

used before a date, number, or time period to show that the exact figure is not certain but is close to the one given

Example

The temple was built circa 1200 BCE, during the Bronze Age.

preposition used before a year to indicate approximation

Historians believe the manuscript was written circa 1450, shortly after Gutenberg's press.

Common collocations
  • circa + year / century
  • built circa [date]
  • dated circa [date]
  • written circa [date]
  • circa [date] (parenthetical comma)
Synonyms
  • about

    the most common everyday alternative; less formal than 'circa'

  • around

    similar to 'about', widely used in both speech and writing

  • approximately

    slightly more formal than 'about'; common in technical and academic writing

Antonyms
  • exactly

    the opposite of approximation; indicates the date is precise

  • precisely

    similar to 'exactly'; used when there is no uncertainty

Usage Note

Common in historical, scholarly, and formal writing before a year or century. In everyday conversation, 'about' or 'around' is the more natural choice.

Common Mistakes

The meeting starts circa 3 PM.
The meeting starts around 3 PM.
'circa' is almost never used with clock times; use 'about' or 'around' instead.

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'circā', meaning 'around, about, approximately'. The word entered English in the mid-19th century and has been used primarily in historical and scholarly writing to indicate approximate dates.