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

It was only later - at about 20:00 - that Samantha's husband, who was working abroad at the time, contacted her by ringing one of their children's phones.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Ableman, who lived in the village, near St Ives, was hit by the loose grabber crane at about 11:15 BST on 22 September 2022, as it was transported on a lorry on the B1050.

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Shares traded at about $24.65 in early afternoon on the New York Stock Exchange, up about 23% from the $20 IPO price.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The one your adviser knows trades at about $95.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

The average kid’s hair grows in at about 0.14 mm each day, so in a few weeks you should look like new.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina