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Definition of circa

circa

/ˈsɝː.kə/
cir · ca
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circa Lexical Profile

circa Game Scores & Validity

• preposition

1

At an approximate date or time; around or about (used chiefly with years or historical periods).

Example

"The ancient cathedral was constructed circa 1150 on the site of an earlier chapel."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for circa

• adverb

1

Approximately or around a specified time, year, or quantity.

Example

"The ceramic vessel was crafted circa 450 BCE and remains remarkably intact."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for circa
Antonyms
View all antonyms for circa

Word Nuance & Usage

"Circa" is used almost exclusively before years, dates, or historical periods to indicate approximation, and is frequently abbreviated as "c." or "ca." in academic and biographical writing.

• Rhymes for circa

• Nearby Words

cinnamony
cinquefoil
cipher
circa
circadian
circle
circlet

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed directly from Latin circa, meaning "around" or "about," which is derived from circus, meaning "circle" or "ring."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Circa. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/circa
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