somewhere

somewhere — adverb

1. used to say that something is in or goes to a place whose exact position you can

1.adverbA2
Definition

used to say that something is in or goes to a place whose exact position you cannot name or do not need to state

Example

Selim left his keys somewhere in the living room but cannot find them.

somewhere + prepositional phrase (in the living room)

Saira put the documents somewhere safe before the meeting began.

somewhere + adjective (safe)

Common collocations
  • somewhere in
  • somewhere near
  • somewhere around
  • somewhere safe
  • somewhere warm
Synonyms
  • there

    more specific — refers to a known place rather than an unknown one

  • about

    more vague and slightly formal; 'somewhere about the house'

  • around

    common in informal speech; 'somewhere around here'

Antonyms
  • nowhere

    emphasizes absence rather than unknown presence

Grammar Patterns

somewhere + prepositional phrase

somewhere + adjective

Usage Note

In questions and negative sentences, 'anywhere' is more natural than 'somewhere': 'Did you leave your keys anywhere?' not '…somewhere?'

Common Mistakes

I left my bag anywheres in the office.
I left my bag somewhere in the office.
'anywhere' is used in questions and negatives; 'somewhere' is used in positive statements.

2. used before a number, amount, or time to show that the figure is not exact but i

2.adverbB1
Definition

used before a number, amount, or time to show that the figure is not exact but is close to that value

Example

The repair will cost somewhere around two hundred dollars.

somewhere around + figure

Pedro arrived somewhere between nine and half past nine this morning.

somewhere between + range

Common collocations
  • somewhere around
  • somewhere between
  • somewhere in the region of
Synonyms
  • approximately

    slightly more formal; 'approximately two hundred participants'

  • roughly

    similar informality; 'roughly the same age'

  • about

    the most common alternative; 'about twenty minutes'

  • around

    very common in speech; 'around fifty people'

Antonyms
  • exactly

    used for precise figures; 'exactly two hundred dollars'

  • precisely

    emphasizes exactness; 'precisely at noon'

Grammar Patterns

somewhere around + figure

somewhere between + range

Usage Note

Must be followed by a preposition (around, between, in the region of) before the number — 'somewhere $50' is incorrect.

Common Mistakes

The bag weighs somewhere 5 kilograms.
The bag weighs somewhere around 5 kilograms.
a preposition such as 'around' or 'between' is needed after 'somewhere'.

3. to reach a state of progress or achievement, especially after a period of diffic

3.adverbB2
Definition

to reach a state of progress or achievement, especially after a period of difficulty or uncertainty

Example

After three failed attempts, the team is finally getting somewhere with the design.

get somewhere with + noun phrase

Ezra felt he was finally getting somewhere in his career after the promotion.

Common collocations
  • get somewhere
  • be getting somewhere
  • getting somewhere with
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • nowhere

    used in 'getting nowhere' to indicate a lack of progress

Grammar Patterns

get somewhere with + noun phrase

be getting somewhere

Usage Note

This sense is almost always used in the phrases 'get somewhere' or 'be getting somewhere'. It is not used in negative form (use 'not getting anywhere' or 'going nowhere' instead).

Common Mistakes

The project is finally somewhere.
The project is finally getting somewhere.
the verb 'get' or 'be getting' is required to express progress.
Idioms

get somewhere

idiom

To achieve progress or success in a task or activity.

After months of practice, Mia finally got somewhere with her piano playing.

Are you getting somewhere with that difficult math problem?

somewhere around, between, etc. something

idiom

Used to indicate an approximate number, amount, or time.

The repair will cost somewhere around three hundred dollars.

He arrived somewhere between six and seven in the evening.

somewhere — noun

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

These four place words differ by sentence type and meaning. 'Somewhere' is used in positive statements to refer to an unspecified place: 'My phone is somewhere in the car.' 'Anywhere' appears in questions, negatives, and conditionals: 'Did you go anywhere yesterday?' or 'I cannot find it anywhere.' 'Everywhere' means 'in all places': 'There were cameras everywhere in the building.' 'Nowhere' means 'no place' and often follows 'is' or 'are', or inverts the subject: 'The keys are nowhere to be found.' A common error is using 'anywhere' in a positive statement or 'somewhere' in a negative statement.

somewhere ↗anywhere ↗everywhere ↗nowhere

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • somewhere around
  • somewhere between
  • somewhere near

Phrases

  • somewhere else
  • somewhere safe
  • somewhere warm
  • somewhere quiet
  • or somewhere

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

Formed from Old English 'sum' meaning 'a certain or unknown' and 'hwǣr' meaning 'where'. The compound has been used in English since the Middle English period (around 1200) to refer to an unspecified place.