just about
922
2.7
- phrasal verb
- /dʒʌst əˈbaʊt/
- We raised the rates just about a month and a half ago.
- just about everywhere
- just about anywhere
- just about right
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Watch on YouTubeAnd as it turns out, the Dragons are just about as old as Earthsea.
- And as it turns out, the Dragons are just about as old as Earthsea.
- Making a living from illustration is, I'd say, just about impossible these days.
- And she said, well, to me, it's just about to be decided my journey.
Examples
-
We were just about out of supplies, Bernard.
-
And we are just about to do it now.
-
I realize, you know, it's not just about me, it's about we.
-
That should just about cover it.
-
Inner peace is just about being present.
-
We were just about to close the deal, but someone tipped him off.
-
The movie was just about the best I've ever seen.
-
After hours of hiking, we were just about to reach the summit.
-
The weather today is just about perfect for a picnic.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
Not exact but near a number, amount, or time
∞
1.0
Nearly but not completely
∞
1.0
Almost but not completely
∞
3.0
Almost completely but not quite
∞
1.0
About an amount or number, not exact
839
1.0
You add it after a number to show the number is about that amount
617
2.5
Almost but not completely
494
3.6
Almost complete but not fully finished
471
3.2
Near the exact number or amount
393
1.6
About a number or amount that is not exact
251
2.1
About a number or idea, not exact but close enough
1
4.1
Almost correct but missing some details
Antonyms
How Accurate
∞
1.0
922
2.7
∞
1.0
471
3.2
393
1.6
52
1.7
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'almost/approximately' is directly derivable from combining 'just' (by a very small margin) with 'about' (approximately); the phrase simply reinforces an approximation. This compositional, modifier+approximator pattern is common in English and across languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase just about comes from putting just meaning 'exact' and about meaning 'around' together to show something is very near but not exact. Imagine a clock hand almost at the hour or a person standing right outside a room, so it now means 'almost' or 'nearly'.