# cir

CEFR C1 · Preposition

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cir
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

around a specific time or date. You use this when you are not exactly sure when something happened, but you know the general year.

For teachers: approximately or about, specifically in reference to historical dates or time periods. Often abbreviated as 'c.' or 'ca.' in academic writing.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The event happened circa at 1920." but "The event happened circa 1920." — Circa is a preposition that directly precedes the date; adding 'at' is redundant and grammatically incorrect.

## Usage notes

- Typically precedes a specific year, century, or era; frequently used in historical and archaeological contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.