# circa

/ˈsɝkə/ (US) · /sˈɜːkɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/circa
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. approximately

preposition · CEFR B2 · Academic · Formal

about or around a certain time or amount.

For teachers: approximately; used before a date or figure to indicate an estimated value.

- The old church was built circa 1450, but the roof was replaced later.
- The manuscript is believed to have been composed circa 1180, though some scholars argue for a slightly later date based on the dialect used.

Usage: Usually abbreviated as 'c.' or 'ca.' in written texts.

Teaching tip: While common in history books and museums, it sounds overly formal in casual conversation; students should use 'about' or 'around' instead.

## Examples

- The old church was built circa 1450.
- The museum curator estimated that the bronze statue was cast circa 300 BC, though the exact decade remains unknown.
- While the manuscript is undated, linguistic evidence suggests it was composed circa the late twelfth century, during a period of significant transition in the local dialect.

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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.