Slangora

around about

Australian and British informal for 'approximately' or 'roughly' — used when you're ballparking a number, time, or amount without being precise.

ɚˈaʊnd əˈbaʊtSilenthistoricalCurrent218 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🇦🇺 Australian & NZ slang
2 definitions
Community
Seen in the wild
3 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

Australia
#1·Apr 28, 2026AUS

Australian and British informal for 'approximately' or 'roughly' — used when you're ballparking a number, time, or amount without being precise. It's a slightly more emphatic version of 'about' or 'around,' stacking both words together for a casual, relaxed effect. You'll hear it in everyday Aussie conversation when someone's giving a rough estimate and doesn't want to be held to specifics. Comfortable, easygoing language that fits perfectly into the Australian communication style.

I'd say there were around about two hundred people at the market that morning.
Origin: A doubling of the approximation words 'around' and 'about,' both of which independently mean 'approximately.' The compound form intensifies the casual imprecision. Common in Australian and British informal English. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

Around about means: Australian and British informal for 'approximately' or 'roughly' - used when you're ballparking a number, time, or amount without being precise. It's a slightly more emphatic version of 'about' or. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.

For ESL learners

around about means: Australian and British informal for 'approximately' or 'roughly' - used when you're ballparking a number, time, or amount without being precise. It's a slightly more emphatic. Register: informal, Australian English. Often not understood outside its region; gloss the word on first use when writing for an international audience. Common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; always check the context before producing it yourself.

Cluster: relaxed
Was this helpful?

Comments

Australia
#2·Apr 27, 2026AUS

(AU, informal) Nearly; approximately.

For parents

Around about means: Nearly; approximately.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

around about means: Nearly; approximately.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself. A formal-English equivalent (a synonym or descriptive phrase) is usually safer in writing. When in doubt, paraphrase rather than reuse the slang form.

Heard in the wild
  • “There is an excellent Tumblr post floating around about how you're SuPINE when you're lying on your SPINE and you're PRONE when you're lying on your PRONis”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “@bennjordan.bsky.social - curious if you saw the article going around about the use of sound (I believe it was referred to as infrasound) to put out fires.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I've been tottering around about if this is any of my ocs but tbqh i just keep going sylvain fire emblem”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
Was this helpful?

Comments

For specific readers

Around about means: Australian and British informal for 'approximately' or 'roughly' - used when you're ballparking a number, time, or amount without being precise. It's a slightly more emphatic version of 'about' or. It is mainly Australian English and may not be understood outside that context. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

Used in

Australia

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "around about".

Add definition

🇦🇺About Australian & NZ slang slang

Aussie and Kiwi vocabulary — bogan, daggy, brekkie, sheila, bach, jandals — the whole Antipodean lexicon, including outback dialect, surf and beach culture, and Sydney/Melbourne street slang.

See all Australian & NZ slang slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "around about" (A)

Browse all slang words starting with A.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related