at about

Idioms  

1. At approximately, as in We'll start at about nine. This phrase, most often used with respect to time (as at about four o'clock), is sometimes criticized for being redundant. Although one of the two words sometimes can be omitted without changing the meaning—for example, About four o'clock is when most guests will arrive —in other instances both are needed, as in This stock is now selling at about its original offering price. [Early 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Officers from West Midlands Police were called to the fire in Mason Street at about 20:30 BST along with colleagues from West Midlands Fire Service and West Midlands Ambulance Service.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

A presidential motorcade was spotted outside the Washington Hilton hotel at about 8:45 p.m., though Trump’s location is yet unknown.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 25, 2026

“You’re looking at about $80 an acre additional crop expense right there,” he estimated.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

The bloc now gets around 60% of its LNG from the U.S., though its share of total natural-gas imports—including piped gas—is lower, at about 25%, according to the European Commission.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 25, 2026

The only door that led into the jail had a small square of glass at about the height of a man, and there were iron bars over the glass.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong