Omtrent

Omtrent is a Danish and Norwegian adverb meaning approximately or about, used to indicate an approximate quantity, amount, or time. It usually precedes the element it modifies, such as a numeral or a time expression.

Examples in Danish and Norwegian include: "Omtrent 50 mennesker var til stede," meaning about 50 people were present, and "Omtrent klokken fire," meaning around four o’clock. In more formal writing, the abbreviation ca. (circa) is sometimes used as an alternative to express approximation.

The term is common in both Danish and Norwegian and is widely understood in Nordic language contexts. It serves a similar function to other approximate expressions in related languages, where speakers might opt for equivalents such as cirk[a] or ca. for concise notation in writing. In Swedish, related notions are typically expressed with terms like ungefär or cirka, which cover similar meanings but are not direct equivalents of omtrent.

Etymologically, omtrent is formed from elements meaning around or about and has become a standard component of everyday language in Danish and Norwegian. It is versatile across different registers, appearing in informal speech as well as in news reporting and written communication.