Estimate

/ˈɛstɪmeɪt/

verbmediumVery CommonLegal

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To form a rough idea of the value, size, or amount of something.

/ˈɛstɪmeɪt/

verbneutralmedium
Legal

To roughly calculate or judge the value, size, or amount of something.

The architect estimated the building would take two years to complete.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're planning a party. You'd *estimate* how many people will come and how much food to buy. It's like making an educated guess, but not an exact one.

👶 For kids: To make a good guess about how much of something there is, like how many candies are in a jar.

More Examples

2

I need to estimate the amount of paint required for the walls.

3

Can you estimate how much time the journey will take?

4

The scientists estimated the age of the fossil.

How It's Used

Business

"The contractor estimated the cost of the renovation project."

Statistics

"Researchers estimate the population growth based on current trends."

2

A rough calculation of the value, size, or amount of something.

/ˈɛstɪmɪt/

nounneutralBeginner
Legal

A rough calculation or judgment of the value, size, or amount of something.

The contractor gave me an estimate for the repairs.

💡 Simply: It's like when your dad looks at the gas tank and *estimates* how much further he can drive, even though he doesn't know the exact amount. It is a kind of educated guess.

👶 For kids: A guess about how much something is, like how tall the tree is.

More Examples

2

The sales estimate for next quarter is promising.

3

I need to get an estimate for the moving costs.

4

The estimate for the new software was way off.

How It's Used

Finance

"The company provided an estimate for the project's budget."

Construction

"We received several estimates from different contractors."

Tip:An 'est'imation is a made 'mate' of a number.

Idioms & expressions

at a conservative estimate

Used to indicate that a figure is likely to be higher than the one stated.

"At a conservative estimate, the project will cost over a million dollars."

From Latin *aestimare* 'to value, assess'.

Used since the 16th century, originally referring to the valuation of something.

Memory tip

Think of a 'mate' helping you 'est'ablish an approximation.

estemateestimetestamite

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written