Approximate
/əˈprɒksɪmeɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo estimate or calculate something to be near to the correct amount or figure.
/əˈprɒksɪmeɪt/
To be almost exactly equal to something.
The estimated cost approximates the actual cost.
💡 Simply: To be close to something, not perfectly accurate.
More Examples
Scientists approximated the age of the fossil.
How It's Used
"We can approximate the area of the circle using the formula πr²."
"The experiment approximated the theoretical results."
Close to the actual value, but not completely accurate.
/əˈprɒksɪmət/
Nearly correct or exact.
The approximate number of attendees was 200.
💡 Simply: Almost correct, but not quite.
More Examples
The approximate location of the earthquake's epicenter is known.
How It's Used
"The approximate time of arrival is 6 PM."
From Latin *approximare* "to draw near," from *ad-* "to" + *proximare* "to bring near," from *proximus* "nearest."
The word has been used in its current sense since the 16th century.
Memory tip
Think 'approaching' the exact value.