rondom

Rondom is a Dutch word functioning as both an adverb and a preposition. It denotes something that lies in the area surrounding another object or point, similar to “around” in English. It also serves to indicate approximation, especially with numbers or times. As a spatial preposition, it is used with a noun phrase: rondom het dorp, rondom het station, or rondom de kustlijn, to refer to the surrounding area or vicinity.

As an adverb of degree or quantity, it pairs with numerals or measures to mean “approximately” or “roughly.” Examples include rondom vijfhonderd deelnemers and rondom drie uur, both meaning about five hundred participants and about three o’clock. The phrasing emphasizes an approximate boundary or range rather than a fixed value.

Etymology: rondom is a compound of rond “round” and om “around,” in which the two elements have fused into a single word in modern Dutch. The spelling normally appears as one word, though older or careful typography occasionally shows variation.

Cross-linguistically, Afrikaans and several related Germanic languages share a cognate with similar meaning. In synonyms, terms such as ongeveer or circa can convey similar approximation, while rondom carries a stronger sense of area or perimeter when used spatially.

In usage, rondom is common in everyday speech and in writing about geography, planning, or statistics. It helps express vicinity without committing to precise boundaries, or to approximate quantities and times.