round about
Approximately. Close enough without pulling out a ruler or a watch.
Also called 'round about, around about.
Updated September 24, 2026
round about pronunciation
/ROUND uh-bout/
Meaning
Round about means roughly, around, or about that much. Southern and Appalachian speakers use it for time, distance, and headcounts: round about noon, round about a mile, round about ten folks. Folksier than a bare around, and not the traffic-circle roundabout. Write it as two words when you mean an estimate.
How folks use it
- “We'll head out round about two if the rain holds off.”
- “Creek's round about a half mile past that sycamore.”
Origin and etymology
Older British and general English pairing of round and about for approximation. The phrasing stayed natural in Southern storytelling while many speakers elsewhere shortened to just around or about. Same roots as around about; the mountain feel is in how often it still gets said.
Frequently asked questions
Is round about the same as a roundabout?
No. Round about (two words) means approximately. A roundabout (one word) is a traffic circle.